Educational Modules on the Power-to-Gas Concept Demonstrate a Path to Renewable Energy Futures

A significant challenge for the global community is the increasing demand for clean and renewable energy technologies. However, a lack of knowledge of these technologies threatens to impede their adoption. The development of cheap, effective, and easy-to-use chemical and electrochemical storage technologies is crucial if countries are to move away from fossil fuel electricity production. In this paper, we describe simple classroom-based learning systems that can be used to demonstrate the power-to-gas concept and its ability to greatly enhance the practicability and sustainability of other renewable energy systems. Most renewable energy systems can only produce energy sporadically and at specific locations; however, the power-to-gas concept uses hydrogen, obtained by electrolysis, to produce methane via the Sabatier reaction. We also demonstrate how this "dream reaction" - through the use of renewable energies such as solar and wind - can produce industrially and energetically desirable methane from hydrogen and carbon dioxide. The power-to-gas concept can be easily replicated in both educational and informal settings to encourage more grassroots and scholastic interest in the development of these vital technologies.