The geographic potential of Power-to-Gas in a German model region - Trier-Amprion 5

Power-to-Gas (PtG), the generation of synthetic methane from renewable electricity via water electrolysis and methanation, is considered a promising long-term energy storage option. Within this paper we provide a detailed PtG potential analysis using the geographic and infrastructural conditions of a German model region. To this end, comprehensive spatial data of the region “Trier-Amprion 5” (TA5) in Rhineland-Palatinate (Rheinland-Pfalz) is compiled. The requirements of methanation facilities and its chemical processes are identified; available sources of carbon dioxide (CO2), a prerequisite for the PtG process, are examined and localised; and the potential locations for PtG facilities are quantified. The combined information is presented in a detailed map showing restrictive and favourable areas. Finally, we provide a first draught of an applied method for calculating the potential capacities of Power-to-Gas facilities in actual geographical regions.