Name one hydrogen production method, including its color and discuss the required inputs for production, the costs, and resulting emissions
Steam methane reforming (grey hydrogen)
Inputs: natural gas and water, coal and air
Costs: 1-2 €/kg H2
Emissions: 830 Mt CO2 per year
Argue in which end-use applications you find that the use of green hydrogen will be unavoidable in the transition to a carbon free energy system.
Fertilizer, Hydrogenation, Hydrocracking, Desulphurisation
For those technologies there is no real alternative since electrification is not possible
Which input factor is essential for green hydrogen production? Which technologies could be used? And what is the current status of green hydrogen production in the EU?
Input factor: renewable electricity and water to power an electrolyzer
Technologies:
• alkaline electrolysis
• proton exchange membrane electrolysis
• solid oxide electrolysis
Status in Europe: green hydrogen only makes up 0.1% of hydrogen production but capacity of ~50GW are planned by 2030
Why is the remaining carbon budget difficult to estimate? What does 50th or 67th percentile mean in this context?
unpredictable changes in human behavior -> shorter/longer periods
different responsibilities for countries
CO2 saturates in the atmosphere
Urban heat island
In this context, the 50th percentile represents a 50% probability of limiting global warming to a specific target (e.g., 1.5°C), meaning there's an equal chance of exceeding or staying below that target. The 67th percentile represents a more conservative threshold, providing a 67% probability of staying below the target, reflecting greater certainty but leaving a smaller remaining carbon budget.
Explain the carbon allocation method “contraction and convergence”.
Proposed global framework for reducing GHG emissions
-> basis for international agreement for emission reduction
Consists of reducing of GHG emissions to a safe value (contraction) resulting from every country bringing its emissions per capita to a value which is equal to all countries (convergence)
Explain why “grandfathering” is easier to implement politically rather than other methods, e.g., “contraction and convergence”.
Allocation in proportion to a historic emissions baseline
Easier to implement: maintaining existing interest, political feasibility, managing opposition
How does a delayed pathway to net-zero effect global warming and the measures necessary to mitigate climate change?
A delayed pathway to net-zero increases cumulative emissions, leading to higher global warming and greater climate impacts. It also requires steeper emission reductions later, relying heavily on costly and uncertain carbon removal technologies.
Draw qualitative graphs showing linear, accelerated, and delayed pathways. Pay attention to the correct axis labeling.
Linear Pathway: Emissions decline steadily over time, balancing mitigation efforts consistently.
Accelerated Pathway: Initial emissions remain higher, but a rapid decline occurs later to meet the target, requiring more drastic measures in a shorter period.
Delayed Pathway: Emissions remain high for an extended period, necessitating steep reductions later, which increases the risk of overshooting temperature targets and demands expensive, disruptive measures (e.g., large-scale carbon removal).
Describe the different types of energy communities.
Energy communities can be categorized into the following types:
1. **Renewable Energy Communities**: Focus on generating and sharing renewable energy (e.g., solar, wind) among members, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
2. **Citizen Energy Communities**: Allow individuals and small organizations to collectively invest in and manage energy projects, promoting local control and participation.
3. **Cooperative Energy Communities**: Operate as cooperatives where members jointly own and benefit from shared energy infrastructure, such as solar panels or wind farms.
4. **Microgrid Communities**: Feature localized grids that can operate independently from the main power grid, often incorporating renewable energy and storage for resilience.
5. **Virtual Energy Communities**: Use digital platforms to connect dispersed energy producers and consumers, enabling peer-to-peer energy trading.
What are the three main reasons for founding or joining an energy community?
Financial saving and economic benefits
Environmental and social goals
Energy Independence and Empowerment
Which measures are possible to combat global warming? Describe the three basic options.
To combat global warming, the three basic options are **mitigation**, **adaptation**, and **geoengineering**. Mitigation involves reducing greenhouse gas emissions through renewable energy, efficiency, and conservation, adaptation focuses on adjusting to climate impacts (e.g., building resilient infrastructure), and geoengineering seeks to manipulate Earth's systems to counteract warming, such as carbon removal or solar radiation management.
Last changed14 days ago
