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Global geospatial analysis of off-grid direct air capture
Direct air capture (DAC) is an indispensable technology for meeting the challenges of achieving net-zero emissions [1]. Despite its promise, DAC with CO2 storage (DACCS) faces significant hurdles, primarily due to its (current) high energy intensity and capital expenditures, which are sensitive to design- and location-specific factors. Optimal carbon dioxide removal (CDR) efficiency is reached when powered by low-carbon energy sources [2–4]. This indicates the potential of so-called `off-grid' DACCS designs – i.e., DACCS systems without a connection to the power grid network – since they allow a system fully powered by renewable energy sources, thereby avoiding emissions from currently carbon-intensive power grids. However, off-grid systems rely on intermittent renewable energy sources, such as solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind turbines. The intermittency of these sources, the power requirements of DACCS, and the need for heat limit the feasibility of widespread deployment, especially in land-constrained areas. Here, the main goal is to assess the performance of off-grid DACCS with a global scope by extending an earlier geospatial model developed at ETH Zurich.
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of energy technologies and energy systems analysis, techno-economic analysis, and life cycle assessment. Familiarity with negative emissions technologies/carbon dioxide removal is an asset. Familiarity and knowledge of Python, geospatial analysis, and linear optimization is a plus.
Keywords: Life cycle assessment, decarbonization, negative emission technologies, carbon dioxide removal, geospatial analysis, linear optimization
Main tasks during the MSc project:
• Literature review on prior geospatial analyses performed and identifying data sources to perform a comprehensive geospatial analysis having a global scope. The study aims to determine location-specific carbon dioxide removal po-tentials and costs of solid sorbent-based off-grid DACCS. As such, the student will get familiar with a previous mod-el developed at ETH on off-grid DACCS within Europe and will extend the current model.
• Knowledge and data from the literature review are used to perform the geospatial analysis considering land availabil-ity, life cycle environmental impacts, and impacts of transport and storage of CO2. Additional attention will be given to designing off-grid DAC systems in an optimal way using a (mixed integer) linear program considering different system components, such as the DAC unit, solar PV, onshore and offshore wind turbines (and potentially other re-newables), and battery units.
• The portfolio of considered renewables will be extended from onshore wind and ground-mounted solar PV by also in-cluding offshore wind (in coastal zones) and potentially geothermal energy sources.
• LCA impacts are integrated considering these different current and future scenarios using brightway2 and premise.
• Results are generated and accompanied by a comprehensive sensitivity analysis considering a current scenario and potential future scenarios in 2050.
• Conclusions are drawn, and implications for policymakers will be given.
Main tasks during the MSc project: • Literature review on prior geospatial analyses performed and identifying data sources to perform a comprehensive geospatial analysis having a global scope. The study aims to determine location-specific carbon dioxide removal po-tentials and costs of solid sorbent-based off-grid DACCS. As such, the student will get familiar with a previous mod-el developed at ETH on off-grid DACCS within Europe and will extend the current model. • Knowledge and data from the literature review are used to perform the geospatial analysis considering land availabil-ity, life cycle environmental impacts, and impacts of transport and storage of CO2. Additional attention will be given to designing off-grid DAC systems in an optimal way using a (mixed integer) linear program considering different system components, such as the DAC unit, solar PV, onshore and offshore wind turbines (and potentially other re-newables), and battery units. • The portfolio of considered renewables will be extended from onshore wind and ground-mounted solar PV by also in-cluding offshore wind (in coastal zones) and potentially geothermal energy sources. • LCA impacts are integrated considering these different current and future scenarios using brightway2 and premise. • Results are generated and accompanied by a comprehensive sensitivity analysis considering a current scenario and potential future scenarios in 2050. • Conclusions are drawn, and implications for policymakers will be given.
Not specified
Vittoria Bolongaro - bolongav@epse.ethz.ch
Dr. Tom Terlouw - tom.terlouw@psi.ch
Vittoria Bolongaro - bolongav@epse.ethz.ch Dr. Tom Terlouw - tom.terlouw@psi.ch
20240806_MSc_proposal_offgrid_geospatial_model.docx
