The value of ammonia towards integrated power and heat system decarbonisation

Abstract

As the United Kingdom (UK) is legally bound to Net Zero goals, deep decarbonisation of wide power and heat systems constitutes a focal point of research. With heat being the biggest energy consumer in the UK, sector coupling emerges as imperative towards cost-efficient decarbonisation. Pathways including dense energy carriers, which can store excessive intermittent renewable energy, offer alternative options for optimal system operation. In this work, the role of hydrogen and ammonia as energy vectors in Great Britain's (GB) power system planning is examined. Dense energy carriers' pathways are modelled to offer additional energy storage, transport and electricity generation options for the system. A spatially explicit snapshot model is developed, whose temporal resolution captures the short- and long-term dynamics of demands and renewable sources through a novel chronological clustering method. Ultimately, integrated capacity planning and operational optimisation in GB is conducted for a target year via the snapshot model. Regional power and heat demands are determined as the heat fuel consumption mix is optimised. Key findings include that under various scenarios up to 80% heat electrification can be cost effectively achieved through the flexibility offered by up to 6 TW h of ammonia storage for annual inter-seasonal storage.