A new power-to-gas (P2G) unit in Falkenhagen, eastern Germany, has been officially launched by E.ON. The unit uses wind power to run electrolysis equipment which in turn transforms water into hydrogen gas which can then be injected into the regional gas transmission system where it becomes part of the natural gas mix and subsequently can be used for a variety of applications including space heating, industrial processes, mobility and power generation. The 2MW unit can produce 360 cubic meters of hydrogen per hour.
“This project makes E.ON one of the first companies to demonstrate that surplus energy can be stored in the gas pipeline system in order to help balance supply against demand” said Dr. Ingo Luge, the CEO of E.ON Deutschland. “This method of energy storage is considered a key technology for the transformation of Germany’s energy system. It will reduce the need to take wind turbines offline when the local grid is congested and will therefore enable us to harness more wind power.”
E.ON built and is operating the unit in partnership with Swissgas AG which will also purchase some of the unit’s output. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Dr. Philipp Rösler (Germany’s Economics Minister), Dr. Christian Ehler (member of the European Parliament), Henning Heidemanns (State Secretary in the Ministry of Economics and European Affairs of the Federal State of Brandenburg), and about 200 other guests from the realms of politics, industry, and science.
“One of the biggest challenges of transforming Germany’s energy system is finding ways to integrate the increasing share of intermittent, renewable-source energy” said Minister Rösler. “To ensure that Germany’s power system remains stable and that our economy continues to have the energy it needs, we not only have to rapidly expand energy networks. We also need innovative solutions like the P2G unit here in Falkenhagen.”
Falkenhagen was identified as an ideal location for the unit because of the high output of wind power and the power and gas infrastructure that is already in place. In addition E.ON also has a control centre there. The unit uses proven technology and is well suited as a platform for gathering technical and regulatory experience in the construction and operation of P2G storage units. It will also serve as an important step towards making P2G technology ready for the mass market.
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