Spatio-temporal potential of a biogenic micro CHP swarm in Switzerland

• Published in: Renewable & sustainable energy reviews Vol. 103; pp. 443 - 454
• Main Authors: Buffat, René, Raubal, Martin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.04.2019
• Subjects: Ancillary services; Biogas; Geographic information system (GIS); Potential analysis; Biogas; Geographic information system (GIS); Ancillary services; Potential analysis
• ISSN: 1364-0321; 1879-0690
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2018.12.038

Renewable electricity production from intermittent energy sources, such as wind and photovoltaic, is rapidly increasing worldwide. The Swiss Energy Strategy aims at generating roughly one-third of the current electricity demand through intermittent renewables by 2050. This raises the need for flexible on-demand power production capabilities to balance the fluctuating generation. Next to batteries or pumped-storage hydroelectricity, decentralized gas-fired combined heat and power (CHP) plants have fast ramp-up times and can thus be used to balance the fluctuating production. Using biogas as fuel for the CHP plants minimizes greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, biomass is subject to spatio-temporal variation that can limit the available fuel. In this work, a framework of geographic information system (GIS)-based models to assess the spatio-temporal potential of domestic biogas to balance fluctuating renewable energy production is proposed. Using this framework, the spatio-temporal biogas that can be fed into the gas grid is modeled to be 18.4PJ. By comparing this potential with the spatio-temporal residential heat demand and rooftop PV potential, we identify the spatio-temporal balancing potential of decentralized CHP plants in Switzerland. It is found that the balancing potential varies between districts and over the course of a year. During summer, the potential is limited due to lack of local heat demand. •Potential analysis of biogenic CHP swarm using GIS and location optimization.•Spatio-temporal analysis of bio-methane potential for ancillary services.•Regional comparison of monthly bio-methane, heat demand and PV potentials.•60% of bio-methane potential can be used if the cogenerated heat must be utilized.