Sino-German Workshop "Carbon Neutrality and Green Energy"

At the beginning, Prof. Dr. Hou briefly outlines the reasons for the discussion about carbon neutrality and green energy in Germany and China and explains why cooperation in these areas and between these two countries makes particular sense. Prof. Dr. Hou is particularly pleased that Volkswagen AG, Germany's largest car manufacturer, is participating with a contribution and gives the floor to Tobias Reuss. He describes Volkswagen's "Way to Zero" by 2050 based on four starting points, whereby he sees the greatest challenge in reducing emissions in the supply chain. The primary goal is to reduce_{CO2 emissions} by 40 percent by 2030, which is to be achieved primarily through the expansion of e-mobility and the use of wind energy, for example, for the associated charging stations. The first attempts at this have already been made in Sweden. This was followed by a presentation by Dr. Wenjin Ding from the Institute of Engineering and Thermodynamics at the German Aerospace Center (DLR). After a brief overview of the sensitive processes involved in heat storage in liquid salts, he illustrated the next generation of solar power plants that work with molten chloride salts. This technology is of central importance for the construction of a CO2-neutral electrothermal power plant in the future. In the subsequent contribution entitled "Strategy and technical path to climate neutrality in Henan Province" by Mr. Ying XIONG from Prof. Dr. Hou's working group, the background to China's climate targets is first explained. This is followed by a detailed analysis of the current energy supply and demand structure, carbon dioxide emissions and the carbon sink of the forest in Henan Province, with seven specific measures proposed to achieve climate neutrality. Henan Province will also be the focus of the next presentation by Prof. Dr. Ruiqin Zhang from the Sino-German Institute of Carbon Neutrality and Green Development at Zhengzhou University. She will examine the influence of the (further) development of wind power and solar energy on the reduction of_{CO2 emissions}, first assessing the potential of wind and solar energy in Henan Province on the basis of extensive statistical data. It then explains the roadmap for wind and solar energy development, followed by extensive analysis on the impact on energy structure adjustment, carbon reduction and carbon peak prediction of the energy sector. When asked whether nuclear energy is used for this purpose, Prof. Dr. Hou adds that there are many large rivers in the province - especially the Yellow River - but no lakes/oceans, which is why nuclear power plants are not suitable. This is followed by a short coffee break with background music before Prof. Dr. Leonhard Ganzer from the Institute for Subsurface Energy Systems at Clausthal University of Technology gives a presentation on underground methanation. According to him, Germany is a prominent example of the underground storage of natural gas and is in fourth place with a working gas volume of 26.5 billion^m3. This is followed by detailed explanations of the microbiological processes in the underground storage of hydrogen, in particular the life cycle of microorganisms and the concept of the bioreactor. In addition, Prof. Dr. Ganzer compares the advantages and disadvantages of methanation vs. direct hydrogen storage before concluding by presenting selected projects, e.g. in Argentina or Austria. In addition, Prof. Dr. Thomas Turek from the Energy Research Center of Lower Saxony (EFZN) and the Institute of Chemical and Electrochemical Process Engineering at Clausthal University of Technology will provide an introduction to "Hydrogen Research in Lower Saxony", focusing on findings on green hydrogen. The German hydrogen strategy and the EFZN hydrogen research network will then be presented, followed by a detailed explanation of a hydrogen steel production plant as part of the SALCOS project.

As China is responsible for the highest_{CO2 emissions} in the world, the People's Republic has set itself the goal of being climate-neutral by 2060. In addition to green energy from hydrogen or the use of alternative energies, CCUS (Carbon Capture and Utilization and Storage) also plays a central role, which Prof. Dr. Qi LI from the Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics (Wuhan) of the Chinese Academy of Science explains in his contribution. To this end, he explains the ways in which the Chinese CCUS can establish a cost-effective, energy-saving and safe CCUS technology and industry cluster. Finally, he will illustrate the challenges and opportunities of CCUS in China. Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Schade will make the last contribution of the day on the topic of "Carbon Neutral Energy Campus Goslar". Due to the fact that the lithium batteries of electric cars have to be replaced at a maximum capacity of 80 percent, he raises the question of recyclability and which components can be recycled. It is important to recognize when the phase begins in which the first material wear occurs and thus the optimal time for recyclability. In order to diagnose the right time, sensors similar to an artificial nervous system are being developed from a combination of optical fibers and AI. Finally, in cooperation with the Fraunhofer Institute, a_CO2-free battery test laboratory has been successfully set up in Goslar, which focuses on real-time battery condition monitoring using AI-assisted condition detection. Marketing of the system is also being planned. According to Prof. Dr. Hou, cooperation with China, the nation with the highest e-mobility rate, is also under discussion, although it will be necessary to wait and see how the coronavirus pandemic develops.

Video link: https: //video.tu-clausthal.de/film/china-woche-2021_1228.html

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