Bornholm a Power-to-X Island: IMPACTS OF IMPLEMENTING POWER-TO-X

Abstract

Dette speciale undersøger muligheden for at implementere et Power-to-X anlæg på Bornholm i forbindelse med Energiø Bornholm, hvor det er planlagt at bygge Danmarks hidtil største havvindmøllepark frem mod 2030 sydvest for Bornholm. Havvindmøllerne skal tilkobles en transformerstation placeret tæt ved Åkirkeby. Formålet med dette speciale er at undersøge, hvordan Bornholms lokalmiljø, både de fysiske omgivelser og samfundet, vil blive påvirket ved implementeringen af et Power-to-X anlæg med elektricitet fra Energiø Bornholm. I specialet undersøges muligheden for at integrere Power-to-X i den eksisterende energi- og vandinfrastruktur på Bornholm, ved at undersøge de potentielle risici og miljøpåvirkninger, der er forbundet med at implementere et sådant anlæg på øen. Anlæggets påvirkninger vil ligeledes afhænge af anlæggets størrelse, beliggenhed og potentielle slutprodukt, som i dette tilfælde enten kan være Power-to-Hydrogen, Power-to-Methanol og Power-to-Ammoniak. Gennem dialog med de involverede aktører er der generelt en positiv indstilling til implementeringen af Power-to-X på øen. Muligheden anses for at kunne bidrage til øens fremtidige udvikling samt gøre Bornholm til en vigtig del af den grønne omstilling i Danmark, dog er private lokale aktører skeptiske omkring implementeringen. Det kan konkluderes, at implementering af Power-to-X på Bornholm vil resultere i nye interaktioner mellem involverede aktører, da anlægget forventes at skabe nye muligheder for sektorkobling og synergier mellem el-, vand-, varme- og transportsektoren på Bornholm. Yderligere konkluderes det, at den mest fordelagtige placering af Power-to-X anlægget vil være sammen med transformerstationen, samt at det mest fordelagtige vil være enten at producere Power-to-Hydrogen eller Power-to-Ammoniak afhængigt af brændslets formål.

This thesis investigates the possibility of implementing a Power-to-X plant on Bornholm in connection to Energy Island Bornholm. The pro-ject of Energy Island Bornholm is planned to be developed by the end of 2030, consisting of 3.2-3.8 GW electricity from offshore wind with a possibility of expanding with 3.0 GW offshore wind by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners and Ørsted. The offshore wind turbines will be connected to the island with a large onshore transformer station. The focus within this thesis is to investigate the following problem statement: What effect will a Power-to-X plant have on the local community and area on Bornholm? The critical hermeneutic theory has been used as a theory of science, using an iterative process when developing knowledge. The empirical data is gathered by semi-structured interviews with relevant identified actors related to Power-to-X implementation on Bornholm. The herme-neutic spiral is combined with Actor-Network Theory as an interpretive tool and analytic framework to understand the socio-technical system. Using Actor-Network Theory the focus is on the different interests of the involved actors, the various benefits and challenges identified by the actors, and ultimately investigating how the implementation of Power-to-X will affect the local community and area on Bornholm. The thesis uncovers the possibility of integrating Power-to-X in the ex-isting energy and water infrastructure at Bornholm, by investigating the potential risks and environmental impacts of implementing such a plant, depending on size, location, and potential end-product; Power-to-Hydrogen, Power-to-Methanol, and Power-to-Ammonia. The study finds that the method used when investigating the subject, impacts the results as well as the researcher's background. Overall, the implementation of Power-to-X on Bornholm is identified as a great opportunity for Born-holm to become important in the green transition of Denmark. To achieve the most positive effect from implementing Power-to-X on Bornholm, it is concluded that the most beneficial location is to place the plant next to the transformer station and produce either Power-to-Hydrogen or Power-to-Ammonia. The thesis concludes implementing Power-to-X on Bornholm will result in a translation process of the exist-ing system by creating new interactions between human and non-human actors. This will result in sector coupling opportunities and synergies between water, electricity, heat, and transport sector on Bornholm. It can therefore be concluded from this thesis that implementing Power-to-X on Bornholm will both bring positive and negative effects to the local community and area on Bornholm.

A master thesis from Aalborg University

Bornholm a Power-to-X Island: IMPACTS OF IMPLEMENTING POWER-TO-X

[Bornholm - en Power-to-X ø: Påvirkninger ved implementering af Power-to-X]