Model-Based Analysis of Various Strategies for Enhanced Utilization of Coal in the Federal Republic of Germany

摘要

Greater use of coal could help to substitute mineral oil and to improve the energy supply situation. For this purpose, domestic coal available in large quantities in the Federal Republic of Germany as well as imported hard coal could be used. The numerous theoretical possibilities for the use of coal are evaluated from the standpoint of various technical, economic and ecological aspects, production- and employment effects and the problem to find suitable sites. Compared with the present structure and quantitiy of coal used, it is recommended to increase the use of coal in industry and for the cogeneration of heat and power to meet the demands for district heating and electric heat pumps. Furthermore, an increase in the capacity of night storage heating corresponding to the increase in total electricity consumption is suggested to achieve a better daily load distribution of medium load coal fired power plants. The possibilities to apply coal transformation (gasification, hydrogenation and methanol production) must be judged carefully. It is not expected that the gasification processes will be used. The hydrogenation and methanol production of lignite seem to have good chances. The hydrogenation of imported and domestic hard coal could be used, medium to long term, if the energy prices continue to rise. (ERA citation 09:016660)