Power to X (5 ECTS)

Objective

The student is familiar with the concept and technologies of Power to X and is able to explain them in detail. The student understands how renewable energy and common raw materials (e.g. water, carbon dioxide, nitrogen) can be converted into fuels and chemicals for the chemical industry and society. The student understands the role of renewable energy and P2X technologies in the green transition. The student can identify the most typical P2X processes and products. The student is able to explain the details of P2X processes, conditions and products, as well as environmental aspects.

Content

-Power-to-X basic concept: using renewable electricity and typical abundant chemicals such as water, carbon dioxide and nitrogen to create useful and valuable products.
-Renewable electricity to chemicals and fuels: introduction to the Power-to-X concept and infrastructure, raw materials (water electrolysis, carbon dioxide sources), overview of the production processes for hydrogen, synthetic hydrocarbons, methanol and green ammonia and their downstream processes. Products, challenges, sustainability, economics and future opportunities.
-Power to gas: different hydrogen production routes, fossil vs. renewable hydrogen, hydrogen and methane production processes via P2X routes.
-Power to liquid: production of liquid fuels directly from renewable electricity, water and carbon dioxide. Fischer-Tropsch and methanol synthesis processes, products (synthetic hydrocarbons, methanol and DME), applications and future potential.
-Power to chemicals: history and overview of the Haber-Bosch ammonia process. Alternative P2X processes for ammonia and formic acid production (processes, technology, applications and future exploitation potential).

Location and time

The course must be completed within the implementation period, but otherwise, the content and assignments can be done independently at any time and place.

Materials

All course-related materials will be distributed via the Moodle workspace.

Teaching methods

The course in Moodle is conducted in English and can be completed independently within the course period, without being tied to a specific time or place. The course consists of materials shared in Moodle (articles, lecture slides, recorded lectures, and other online resources), Moodle assignments, and exercises. All materials, as well as the assignments and exercises to be assessed, are completed and submitted in the Moodle workspace.

Employer connections

Does not include practical training or collaboration with working life.

Exam schedules

The course consists of Moodle exercises and assignments that can be completed at your own pace during the course implementation period. There is no on-site exam in the course.

International connections

-

Completion alternatives

N/A

Student workload

5 ECTS = 135 hours
Theory: 80 hours
Assignments and exercises: 55 hours

Content scheduling

-

Further information

-The use of AI to support learning is recommended, for example, for reviewing implementation materials and brainstorming content.
-AI can be used for idea generation and correcting writing errors, but the content of the assignment must be written independently. The use of AI must be mentioned, including where and how it was utilized in completing the assignment.

Evaluation scale

0-5

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

The student understands the concept of P2X solutions and the role of renewable electricity in producing products from thermodynamically stable raw materials. The student is able to explain the sustainability, ethics, and EU regulations in the production of P2X products. The student is able describe the most typical P2X manufacturing processes, the raw materials used, and the products obtained from them. The student is familiar with the benefits and challenges of the most common processes.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

The student understands the concept of P2X solutions and the pivotal role of renewable electricity in producing fuels and chemicals from thermodynamically stable raw materials (water, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, nitrogen oxides). The student is able to explain the principles of sustainability, ethics considerations, and relevant EU regulations in the production of P2X products and utilize industry literature and materials as source material. The student is able to describe the most typical P2X manufacturing processes with their stages, the raw materials used, and the products obtained from them. The student is familiar with the benefits, challenges, and future prospects of these P2X processes. The student has a detailed understanding of the operation, products, benefits, challenges, and future prospects of different P2X processes and can critically analyze these using sources. The student is able explain in detail the specifics of P2X processes (conditions, yields, raw materials, and catalysts) as well as the different stages of the process (e.g., preprocessing, processing, purification, and further refinement).

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

The student understands the concept of Power to X solutions and the role of renewable electricity in producing fuels and chemicals from thermodynamically stable raw materials (water, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, nitrogen oxides). The student understands the differences and similarities between P2X processes and oil refining and petrochemical processes. The student is very capable of comprehensively explaining the sustainability, ethics, and EU regulations governing P2X processes and utilize industry literature and source materials to support their analysis. The student possess an in-depth has a detailed understanding of the operation, products, benefits, challenges, and future prospects of different P2X processes and can critically analyze these using sources. The student is able evaluate the potential uses and utilization potential of the products. The student is be able to describe in detail the details of P2X processes such as conditions, yields, energy consumption, raw materials and catalysts used, and the different stages of the process (e.g. pre-treatment, processing, purification and downstream processing).

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

The student understands the concept of P2X solutions and the role of renewable electricity in producing products from thermodynamically stable raw materials. The student is able explain the sustainability, ethics, and EU regulations in the production of P2X products. The student is able to describe the most typical P2X manufacturing processes, the raw materials used, and the products obtained from them. The student is familiar with the benefits and challenges of the most common processes.

Assessment methods and criteria

The final grade is based on the points obtained from exercises and assignments:

Grade 1: 50-59 points
Grade 2: 60-69 points
Grade 3: 70-79 points
Grade 4: 80-89 points
Grade 5: 90-100 points

Qualifications

Basic knowledge of chemistry and chemical reactions.