P2X
Making electricity "storable" - such as in the case of eFuels
What can be done to ensure that surplus electricity does not disappear on windy and sunny days? Power-to-X technologies are one of the best answers to this question. They "preserve" electricity - be it in the form of eFuels, for example. This is what P2X is focusing on in the third stage of the project.
Renewable energies are replacing fossil sources as we move towards climate neutrality. However, generating electricity from sunlight and wind entails fluctuations. While little or no energy is generated at night and during windless periods, excesses can occur in high summer and stormy seasons. Without storage options, these dissipate into nothing. Power-to-X technologies, on which the Kopernikus project P2X is conducting research, can provide such necessary storage options.
The spectrum was broad during the first two project stages: P2X examined various options for producing gases, liquids and chemicals using electricity. Emphasis was placed on hydrogen and a synthesis gas consisting of a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. P2X researchers have developed both into complete value chains. In its final phase, the Kopernikus project is focussing primarily on eFuels and, in particular, synthetically produced paraffin. Overall, the aim is to further scale up the technical developments in order to implement industrial use. The "bridge" for the latter are demonstration projects.
Additionally, P2X has developed a roadmap. It is monitoring the development of the various P2X technologies and evaluating them in terms of ecological, economic and social sustainability criteria. The findings will be incorporated into the further development of P2X technologies. Anyone interested can download all four previous versions of the roadmap at the bottom of this page.
Focus: aviation fuel, location analysis, capacity building
The focus set for project P2X's final phase corresponds to the statutory blending quotas. This is due to the fact that aviation cannot be directly electrified, especially not on mid- and long-haul routes. For this reason, the scientific consensus holds that aviation is predisposed to the use of sustainable fuels. This is supported by the Federal Immission Control Act, which provides a binding blending quota as of 2026. EU legislation stipulates this as of 2030. This is intended to improve the climate-friendliness of air traffic.
P2Fuels, which is a P2X demonstration project, addresses this issue. It is planned to build a refinery at Industriepark Höchst in Frankfurt that can process power-to-liquid crude (synthetic crude oil) into standardized aviation fuel, which can then be traded. Accompanying analyses ensure that the fuel complies with norms and meets the stringent aviation requirements. This synthetic aviation fuel is derived from CO2; by-products such as naphtha are also considered in order to operate the plant economically. At least 200 hours of continuous operation are earmarked for test operation of the plant. Yet the optimisations also address another point, specifically the engine combustion chambers. For this purpose, the researchers are investigating whether NOx emissions can be reduced. They are also monitoring regulatory issues in all of these activities.
Among additional tasks that P2X sets for itself during the third project stage are: analysing the life cycle of the demonstrator, assessing the availability of critical raw materials, taking environmental impacts into account and examining the suitability of various industrial locations. The existing educational programme for PtX is also being expanded in order to create a transfer of knowledge, particularly for learners and students. Further thematic aspects are complemented by two satellite projects, which essentially develop and demonstrate aspects based on previous P2X successes.
Achievements to date
Electrolysis divides the molecule water (H2O) into oxygen (O) and hydrogen (H2). P2X has investigated electrolysers that require less iridium than before. The precious metal is extremely rare, and supplies are limited. The researchers have succeeded in reducing the amount of iridium in hydrogen electrolysis by a factor of ten - while maintaining the same output. This enables a significantly more cost-efficient production of hydrogen electrolysers.
Synthesis gas is a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. P2X utilizes it to produce fuels and raw materials for the chemical industry. Depending on the desired product, though, a different ratio of hydrogen to carbon monoxide is required. The project has developed a process that converts water andCO2 into synthesis gas in just one step using electricity from renewable sources (solar, wind). This so-called high-temperature co-electrolysis takes place at 800 degrees Celsius. The special feature of the P2X system is that it can produce synthesis gas with different mixing ratios of hydrogen and carbon monoxide.
P2X has commissioned the world's first integrated plant that produces fuel from air and renewable electricity in four steps. A container-sized prototype produced around ten litres of fuel per day. In 2022, the successor model was already producing twenty times that amount at 200 litres.
Please understand that this short explainer video is unfortunately only available in German
Pure hydrogen can only be transported under high pressure or at extremely low temperatures. Both methods are complex and expensive. Less energy-intensive is binding the hydrogen to a carrier liquid such as LOHC (Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carriers). The consistency and properties are similar to existing fuels. This would allow utilisation of the existing infrastructure for transport and distribution. To release the hydrogen from the carrier liquid, so-called dehydrogenation catalysers are required. P2X has succeeded in developing a catalyst that can release large quantities of bound hydrogen whilst not requiring large quantities of precious metals. The P2X catalyst was such a success that it is already available on the market under the name "EleMax D101".
Oxymethylene ethers - OME for short - are low-emission fuels and can be used in the production of plastics. P2X researchers have produced them from carbon monoxide, hydrogen and methanol. Previously, expensive catalysts coated with rare precious metals were required. The project has now developed ways of using catalysts that do not require precious metals and allow for a more efficient conversion.
Project background in detail
Converting electricity into other substances is what scientists call Power-to-X. Experts like to use the abbreviation "PtX". The name of the Kopernikus project P2X is inspired by this (the two sounds the same as "to"). Power-to-X means that X is produced by using electricity. Power-to-gas, for example, results in gaseous substances such as hydrogen or methane. Power-to-chemicals creates chemical raw materials that are further processed industrially. The product of power-to-fuels is climate-friendly fuel. Carbon dioxide (CO2) extracted from the air or from exhaust gases are used here. This means that a significant overall reduction in emissions is achieved when combusting the fuel.
What exactly do Power-to-X technologies contribute to the energy transition? And even more: why are they indispensable? The most important arguments are summarised in the following and provide a quick overview.
- In their role as chemical energy storage systems, PtX technologies enable flexibility by augmenting volatile renewable energies
- They can be deployed where direct electrification is not possible or not economical (heavy goods transport, sea and air transport, chemical industry, steel and glass production)
- PtX technologies also help to replace fossil raw materials and energy sources in the production of fuels and other commodities, thereby reducing CO2 emissions
In the first two project phases, hydrogen, as one of the most relevant power-to-X products for the energy transition, was repeatedly a focus of P2X. The following questions, along with others, were explored:
- How to reduce costs and accelerate upscaling by lowering the amount of the rare metal iridium without losing efficiency?
- Which potential applications in the (chemical) industry for hydrogen, such as conversion into polymer components, are particularly promising?
- What must be taken into account if hydrogen were to be considered as a fuel in the mobility sector, for example at petrol stations?
- How is it possible to fuel industrial furnaces economically with hydrogen?
- To which chemical compounds can hydrogen be bound in order to transport it more easily and safely?
The answers can be found in the project results, some of which will be adopted and pursued further by other projects.
Successes and results from the initial phases of P2X do not stop there, but rather form a starting point for further developments and follow-up research in several areas. This applies to the two current satellites, but also to other projects such as
- IRIDIOS in H2Giga in the hydrogen flagship projects: The researchers are aiming to scale up the catalyst developed as part of P2X with reduced iridium loading (from phase one, tested in phase two) into an electrolyser for PEM electrolysis.
- 350 bar LOHC hydrogen refuelling station (phase two): Design of components such as H2 compressors, H2 storage tanks and H2 purification units as well as a hydrogen refuelling station in Erlangen; developments are therefore already being implemented.
- Glass melting: Further melting tests with hydrogen firing will follow, as well as a test of LOHC as a carrier material to provide hydrogen on site.
The project partners of P2X (Phase III)
All P2X and other Kopernikus publications (including the respective technical annexes of the roadmaps) are collected and searchable in this list. Below you will additionally find a selection of important information from the project.
