eleMeMe – Decentralized decoupling of power generation and energy supply

Decentralized decoupling of power generation and energy supply by coupling of electrochemical methanol production and methanol fuel cells

The aim of the project is to demonstrate that regenerative power generation can be decoupled from power consumption by developing a novel energy storage system that combines the technology of the methanol fuel cell with a new process for electrochemical methanol generation.

Development of a latent heat storage and a CO₂ storage system as well as of catalysts for electrochemical methanol synthesis

The system CO₂ / methanol will be used as the "battery" or chemical energy storage system. To increase the overall efficiency of the system, it is also planned to use the waste heat from the fuel cell. For this purpose, a memory concept, which is based on a latent heat storage, is integrated in different heat sinks of the system. The heat recovered and stored can thus be used for the pre-heating of the methanol fuel cell, the heating of the batteries or the desorption of CO₂ in the CO₂ storage process.

Subprojects

• Further development of the high-temperature methanol fuel cell with regard to the use of waste heat and carbon dioxide
• Development of a latent heat storage system fort he storage of heat coming from the methanol fuel cell
• Development of a CO₂-Storage suitable for the methanol fuel cell off gas
• Development of an electrochemical reactor cell for the conversion of CO₂ to methanol

We would like to thank the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) for funding the project "eleMeMe – Decentralized decoupling of power generation and energy supply", promotional reference 0324026A.