The term Power-to-X refers to technologies that enable the conversion of surplus electricity from renewable sources into other forms of energy, making it usable across various sectors. The "X" represents different end products, such as Power-to-Gas (hydrogen or methane) or Power-to-Liquid (synthetic fuels). Power-to-X plays a central role in the future vision of an All Electric Society and the necessary sector coupling required for this.
As part of sector coupling, Power-to-X enables the flexible transfer of surplus renewable electricity to other sectors such as heating or mobility. For instance, during periods of high electricity generation from wind or solar sources, hydrogen can be produced and utilized in industry or transportation. Additionally, electricity can be converted into heat for heating buildings. Thus, Power-to-X is a significant component of the energy transition.
For building operations, Power-to-X offers substantial opportunities. On one hand, renewable energies can be better stored and provided in a demand-oriented manner through cloud platforms as part of demand side management. On the other hand, it contributes to the decarbonization of buildings by substituting fossil energy carriers. In combination with intelligent energy storage systems, this can promote demand-oriented self-consumption and reduce the CO₂ footprint of buildings.
