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Microbial biomethane on the way to industrial maturity

Microbial biomethane on the way to industrial maturity

© M. Thema

© M. Thema

ORBIT field test successfully completed

In December, the test operation of the ORBIT biomethanisation plant in Ibbenbüren ended and with it a research project for the further development of power-to-gas technology, which is becoming more and more important. ORBIT stands for “Optimierung eines Rieselbett-Bioreaktors für die dynamische mikrobielle Biosynthese von Methan mit Archaeen in Power-to-Gas-Anlagen” or “Optimisation of a trickle bed bioreactor for the dynamic microbial biosynthesis of methane with archaea in power-to-gas plants” in English. The research project had been running since July 2017 and was funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) with 1.14 million euros. Within a short time, it was possible to set up a functioning system. This is now to be expanded into a complete system for industrial use in further development steps. (more…)

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The future role of grid operators and gas suppliers

The future role of grid operators and gas suppliers

Element 1
Element 1 planning proposal, © Tennet

Hybridge and Element Eins, two German flagship power-to-gas projects, have been put on hold. Managed by transmission system operators, the projects failed to secure government approval. Stakeholders now hope regulations will relax once Germany has introduced its national hydrogen strategy. Opponents warn that such a move would distort market competition.

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Positive influence of CO2 pricing

Positive influence of CO2 pricing

H2 production costs as a function of production quantity and investment total.
H2 production costs as a function of production quantity and investment total.

Synthetic gases will play an important role in the full supply of renewable energies for Germany’s energy requirements. The meta-analysis of [1] shows that, according to several studies, an electrolysis capacity of more than 100 GW is required in the future energy system in Germany. If such an electrolysis capacity is to be installed in the course of the next few decades, it will be necessary to ramp up the market in good time so that market-driven, reliable and inexpensive plants can be made available.

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Power-to-Gas in Augsburg Residential Development

Power-to-Gas in Augsburg Residential Development

Energy cycle
Energy cycle of a multifamily building, © Exytron

A small, decentralized power-to-gas system was started up in a residential development in Augsburg, Germany, at the beginning of this year. Exytron, the Rostock-based manufacturer of the installation, said it was the first of its kind around the globe to store surplus renewable electricity in synthetic natural gas and extract power when needed. With the help of the company’s SmartEnergyTechnology, “the system reduces emissions by 70 percent to 100 percent,” said the business’s sales director, Klaus Schirmer.

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ZSW Gets New Building

ZSW Gets New Building

ZSW

© ZSW

ZSW, the Center for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research, has seen the addition of a new building in the state capital of Baden-Württemberg, Stuttgart, Germany. It was officially inaugurated on July 5 in the presence of the state’s economy minister, Nicole Hoffmeister-Kraut, and the mayor of Stuttgart, Fritz Kuhn. The expansion is said to house new analytical and coating equipment for PV systems in addition to power-to-gas storage units.