Performance analysis of power-to-gas system based on concentrator photovoltaic modules in outdoor operation

A sustainable, renewable energy source is highly desirable for a zero-carbon-emission society. A powerful energy supply that can replace the fossil fuel sector is required. Effective energy transformation into synthetic chemical energy has become a promising alternative energy production method that can conveniently store energy produced by renewable sources. Solar-to-gas conversion has caught the attention of researchers to provide green hydrogen for vehicles and synthetic natural methane for the current gas-grid infrastructure. Such systems are run on solar energy converted into storable chemical energy such as hydrogen and methane. In this study, a new method was developed by independently setting the reactor temperatures and evaluating the methane concentration and methanation power consumption. Subsequently, a high methane concentration (97.89%) and lower power consumption of the methanation system (0.148 kW) were observed at low temperatures (180 °C, 260 °C).