System and method for balancing an electrical power system using methanol

A power balancing system said system comprising:

• a water-rich feed,
• optionally, an external CO2 feed,
• a supply of renewable electricity;
• a first electrolysis unit
• a methanol synthesis plant
• a methanol storage unit, and
• a CO2 storage section
• wherein,
• the first electrolysis unit is arranged to receive the water-rich feed and at least a first portion of said supply of renewable electricity, and to output a first hydrogen rich stream;
• the methanol synthesis plant is arranged to receive at least a portion of the first hydrogen rich stream and a CO2 stream from the CO2 storage section and/or the external CO2 feed, and to output a first methanol-rich stream
• the methanol storage unit is arranged to receive and store at least a portion of the first methanol-rich stream;
• and output a second methanol-rich stream;
• and wherein,
• the system is arranged to generate electrical power from said second methanol-rich stream, via one or more of the following:
• wherein the system comprises a methanol fuel cell the methanol fuel cell being arranged to receive at least a first portion of the second methanol-rich stream from the methanol storage unit and to output a first electrical power stream;
• wherein the system comprises a methanol cracker, a first CO2 removal section, and a first power generation section, the methanol cracker being arranged to receive at least a second portion of the second methanol-rich stream from the methanol storage unit and to output a combined H2 and CO2 stream;
• the first CO2 removal section being arranged to receive at least a portion of the combined H2 and CO2 stream and to output a first CO2-rich stream and a second hydrogen rich stream;
• the first power generation section being arranged to receive at least a portion of the second hydrogen rich stream from the CO2 removal section and combust it so as to output a second electrical power stream;
• wherein the system comprises a methanol cracker, a first CO2 removal section, and a hydrogen fuel cell, the methanol cracker being arranged to receive at least a second portion of the second methanol-rich stream from the methanol storage unit and to output a combined H2 and CO2 stream;
• the first CO2 removal section being arranged to receive at least a portion of the combined H2 and CO2 stream and to output a first CO2-rich stream and a second hydrogen rich stream;
• the hydrogen fuel cell being arranged to receive at least a portion of the second hydrogen rich stream from the CO2 removal section and to output a third electrical power stream;
• wherein the system further comprises a second power generation section, and a second CO2 removal section, the second power generation section being arranged to receive at least a third portion of the second methanol-rich stream from the methanol storage unit and combust it so as to output a fourth electrical power stream and a flue gas stream, the second CO2 removal section being arranged to receive the flue gas stream from the second power generation section and output a second CO2-rich stream and a balance stream
• or wherein system further comprises a methanol dehydration section, and a diesel generator, said methanol dehydration section being arranged to receive at least a fourth portion of the second methanol-rich stream from the methanol storage unit and dehydrate it to provide a dimethyl ether stream;
• and wherein said diesel generator is arranged to receive at least a portion of said dimethyl ether stream and combust it so as to output a fifth electrical power stream;
• and wherein at least one of the first, second, third, fourth or fifth electrical power streams are arranged to be fed to a power grid.