Traditionally, crude oil and natural gas are used as the main carbon feedstock for transportation fuels and for the production of platform chemicals/basic feedstock (e.g. methanol, ethylene, H2, NH3, synthetic natural gas) which are essential starting materials for the production of other value-added products/fuels (e.g. plastics, fertilizer, pharmaceutical products, gasoline etc.). However, concerns about price fluctuations, depleting resources, climate change and concentration of oil and gas reserves in politically instable regions have led to the search for alternative feedstock by diverse sectors. Carbon resources that are viable alternative feedstock for the production of platform chemicals/fuels range from biomass, coal, CO2 to waste. In view of the important role of platform chemicals/fuels for the German industry, three vital issues for both industrial as well as policy decision-makers are 1) technological innovations focusing on increasing the efficiency, cost-effectiveness and sustainable production of platform chemicals/fuels, 2) securing the raw materials supply chain, 3) obtaining social support for proposed solutions and developments. These three aspects represent key building blocks for a raw materials transition in the industrial sectors which are dependent on carbon feedstock for their activities.
At the technological level, the key questions relate to which are the most promising technologies/processes for the sustainable production of platform chemicals/fuels. At the resource chain level, technological evaluations are extended from a focus on evaluating technologies/processes per se to include upstream factors in production pathway such as the location, extraction, transport and processing of raw materials. The societal level relates to public knowledge, perception and acceptance of diverse carbon resources as well as associated infrastructures and technologies.
The STEEP-CarbonTrans research group addresses the three aspects representing important building blocks for a raw materials transition in Germany in the following research work packages:
This work package focuses on identifying, developing and extending process modeling of diverse currently industrially applied processes as well as innovative technologies to support a comparative overview of technologies for the production of carbon-based products and fuels which is based on actual and validated industrial and experimental data.
1.1) Overview of alternative production routes and selection of relevant technologies
1.2) Development and adaption of individual process models
This work package extends the scope of investigation to include upstream factors in the production pathways (i.e. location, extraction, refining, transport and processing). Additionally, a life cycle approach is also undertaken to support a systemic consideration of the raw materials supply chain.
2.1) Definition of evaluation framework and development of process chains
2.2) Technological evaluation
2.3) Economic evaluation
2.4) Ecological evaluation
2.5) Political evaluation
2.6) Social evaluation
This work package focuses on the human dimension of the energy and raw materials systems. Objective is to inform decision-makers and support the timely development of effective social engagement measures to facilitate societal uptake of transition measures. A participatory design is used to ensure that the project has real world relevance and proposes solutions which are realistic and easy to apply.
3.1) Stakeholders in the resource economy
3.2) Determinants of judgment and decision-making
3.3) Systemic lock-in and transition challenges
This work package focuses on providing practical recommendations for education and engagement measures and developing a STEEP decision toolbox.
4.1) Education and engagement measures
4.2) Decision matrix for STEEP evaluation
This work package focuses on building up and consolidating a research group.
5.1) Project coordination
5.2) Qualification, network extension and results dissemination