Master's thesis: Systems study on alternative fuels for stationary gas turbines

Background
This assignment is part of CESTAP (Competence cEntre in Sustainable Turbine fuels for Aviation and Power), aiming to address the growing demand for sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels in the power sector for stationary gas turbines application, particularly in regions like Sweden aiming to decarbonize energy production. Seasonal operation of such turbines requires fuels with favorable storage and handling characteristics, making these aspects crucial in the selection of suitable biofuels. This master's thesis proposes to evaluate the techno-economic feasibility and value-chain potential of using bio-methanol, bio-syngas, and bioethanol as alternative fuels for stationary gas turbines in Sweden. The work will assess key practical considerations such as storage, permitting, emissions, and handling, in close collaboration with industry partners. The main scenario focuses on domestic production of bio-methanol from gasified residual biomass, while imported or locally produced bioethanol will also be examined. Hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) will serve as the benchmark fuel, given its favorable combustion properties and current cost position in the renewable fuel market.

Description
The proposed scope of the Master thesis work is to assess the possibilities to use bio-methanol, optionally bio-syngas and bioethanol as alternative biofuels for stationary gas turbines in Sweden from a techno-economic and value-chain perspective. Analysis of practical aspects like storage, permits necessary, emissions, handling and use etc are also proposed to be part of the scope in close collaboration with the industry partners involved.

Concerning bio-syngas and/or bio-methanol, the proposed scenario to be assessed is a possible future domestic value chain with production in Sweden via gasification of residual biomass from forestry and agriculture as the main scenario. Methanol is in this case produced from syngas and syngas may therefore be excluded from the scope as decided at a later stage. Other production routes to sustainable syngas and/or methanol may be assessed as well as agreed later.

The assessment of bioethanol can be based on both imported bioethanol, and on bioethanol produced in Sweden from sustainable sources of fermentable sugars as agreed later.

The stationary gas turbine bio-fuel benchmark is proposed to be HVO, obtained from both domestic raw materials (e.g., raw tall diesel, RTD) and from imported vegetable oils, used cooking oil and animal fats. The fact that HVO is proposed to be the benchmark is its currently relatively high cost/price, but also its beneficial physicochemical properties as a fuel.

Key Responsibilities
A lot of information is believed to be available in the literature for all the above topics and a tight dialogue with industry partners is necessary and beneficial to maximize the output. Key activities proposed:

1. Bio-Syngas/-methanol
2. Techno-economic assessment of syngas and methanol-production in required volumes using gasification of biomass and catalytic conversion to methanol of the syngas, assessing different geographic locations as well as greenfield versus paper and pulping industry-integrated scenarios.
3. Storage and transport aspects need to be assessed including storage stabilities based on literature stability studies.
4. Fire hazard aspects need to be assessed with impact on equipment investments adding to CAPEX as well as possibly OPEX (ATmosphères EXplosibles, ATEX-zone operation is required).
5. At least one preliminary value chain is designed and assessed, possibly including interviews with potential third party actors.
6. Bioethanol
7. The same assessments are made as for bio-syngas and bio-methanol listed above, however mainly focusing on a value-chain based on imported bioethanol for reasons explained above.
8. HVO (benchmark)
9. The same assessments are made as for bio-syngas, bio-methanol and bioethanol listed above, assessing HVO made from RTD and HVO based on imported triglyceride fat raw materials separately.
10. Relative comparison of biofuel candidates
11. Biofuel candidates assessed are compared systematically concerning techno-economic performance after characterizing CAPEX, OPEX and Net Present Value (NPV) as agreed. Monte Carlo simulations using Microsoft Excel add on tool @RISK may be performed to identify which process parameters are the main cost drivers.
    • The influence of an increased CAPEX resulting from the need for ATEX-classified equipment and facilities fueling stationary gas turbines with bio-syngas, bio-methanol and bioethanol are proposed to be assessed.
12. Preliminary value chains are compared and scored in agreed format.
13. The entire effort is proposed to be reported with data in a format normally applicable to Master theses at the relevant University.

Qualifications
University degree (Bachelor's or Master's) in mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, energy technology, or equivalent knowledge acquired in another way

Good computer skills, experience with simulation tools such as Aspen Plus or similar

Proficiency in English, both written and spoken. Command of Swedish language is a merit.

Terms
Location: Hybrid, preferably Stockholm, Lund or Luleå
Application deadline: Dec 10, 2025
Starting date: not later than January 2026
Contact: Sennai Mesfun ), Martin Hedberg )
Credits: 30 points
Compensation: For an approved thesis project worth 30 credits, we pay
a compensation of 39,990 SEK if one student and 30,000 SEK per student if more
than one student.

Welcome with your application