(Leipzig) – The European gas network operators want to operate a hydrogen network by 2040. In order for the energy source to be used in industry and private households, an appropriate infrastructure is required.
Project team of the hydrogen village Bitterfeld-Wolfen. © Future Gas / Claudius Pflug
Scientists from the Leipzig University of Technology, Economics and Culture (HTWK) have been testing hydrogen under real conditions in the “Hydrogen Village” Chemical Park Bitterfeld-Wolfen together with Mitteldeutsche Netzgesellschaft Gas mbH (Mitnetz Gas) and DBI Gas- und Umwelttechnik GmbH since May 2019 can be distributed safely, cost-effectively and in an environmentally friendly manner. For this, the consortium received the German gas industry's innovation award in the “Application-oriented research” category. The jury explained that the test infrastructure would collect “a variety of important and practical experience in the transport, distribution and use of 100 percent hydrogen” - “knowledge and fundamentals that are urgently needed for converting the existing gas infrastructure to hydrogen.”
1,4 kilometer long distribution network
In the hydrogen village, the transport of hydrogen is being tested on a test area of 12.000 square kilometers. The centerpiece is the 1.400 meter long distribution network, to which, according to the information, a gas pressure control and measuring system as well as a test container with measuring technology are connected.
Previous research has shown that “in principle, the existing natural gas infrastructure can also be used for hydrogen after testing and, if necessary, adapting it.” Problem: The plastic materials used so far for gas distribution networks release residues into the transported hydrogen, according to the scientists. However, particularly pure hydrogen is required for certain applications such as fuel cells.
The DBI Group engineers are therefore investigating which materials are suitable and how they will perform in long-term operation. A team led by HTWK professor Robert Huhn evaluates comprehensive monitoring data from the hydrogen village and analyzes the hydrogen value chain as part of a life cycle analysis. MITNETZ Gas, in turn, develops strategies for the operation and maintenance of hydrogen distribution networks.
The hydrogen village Bitterfeld-Wolfen was created as part of the “Hypos” project with funding from the Federal Ministry of Research. The current activities are supported in the follow-up project “H2-Infra” with funds from the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection with 1,2 million euros.
Innovations: Further award winners
The German gas industry's innovation prize is awarded every two years for pioneering energy concepts. The sponsors are the Federal Association of the Energy and Water Industry (BDEW), the German Gas and Water Association (DVGW) and Zukunft Gas eV, also an initiative of the gas industry. The Association for Economical and Environmentally Friendly Energy Consumption (ASUE) and the company Wintershall Dea are also involved. This year, twelve projects from over 50 applications were nominated and awarded in the four categories “Application-oriented research”, “Sustainable production”, “Intelligent infrastructure” and “Efficient application technology”. A “game changer” project was also chosen. The other winners are:
- Sustainable production: The Landwärme GmbH and Reverion GmbH have developed an economical circular technology for the CO2-negative production of biogas, electricity and hydrogen.
Innovation Prize of the German Gas Industry: Winner of the “Sustainable Generation” category © Zukunft Gas / Claudius Pflug
In Reimlingen, Bavaria, an expansion is being built at the biogas processing plant of the biomethane trading company Landwärme that will enable the capture and final storage of CO2 (Carbon Capture and Storage, CCS). When cleaning biogas into biomethane, the capture of CO2 is part of the process anyway, the companies explain. The remaining high methane content allows it to be fed into the natural gas network and thus decentralized use. In the next step, the captured CO2 is liquefied and stored – for example in deep rock layers under the sea. Alternatively, it could be used as carbon dioxide in technical applications such as fire extinguishers or in the food industry. Part of the biomethane is converted into electricity using fuel cells, the resulting CO2 is recycled and separated during the existing gas processing. The system can use surplus electricity in the network and produce hydrogen through electrolysis. With this technology, “in times of high solar and wind power generation, gases that can be stored in the long term can also be produced and thereby reduce dependence on imports from third countries,” says Stephan Herrmann, founder and managing director of Reverion. The CCS project by Landwärme and Reverion is expected to go into operation in 2023.
- Smart infrastructure: The Berliners PSI Software AG uses the “PSIcontrol/Greengas” software solution to visualize hydrogen compatibility requirements and states for the network infrastructure.
Innovation Prize of the German Gas Industry: Winner of the “Intelligent Infrastructure” category. © Future Gas / Claudius Pflug
This means that injections of hydrogen, biomethane or liquefied natural gas (LNG) can be simulated and “complex gas networks with different gas properties can be safely monitored and efficiently controlled,” according to the company. In addition, “tax requirements for energy-equivalent gas deliveries in the required gas quality can be calculated”. Hydrogen hubs, biomethane and LNG deliveries could be integrated into the energy system by gas network operators via the well-developed gas network.
- Efficient application technology: In this category the prize goes to a consortium Kawasaki Gas Turbine Europe GmbH, B&B-AGEMA GmbH, IDG ad RWTH Aachen and FH Aachen for the development of an H2 combustion system for industrial gas turbines.
Innovation Prize of the German Gas Industry: Winner of the “Efficient Application Technology” category. © Future Gas / Claudius Pflug
“Due to the large difference in the physical properties of hydrogen compared to other fuels such as natural gas,” established Dry Low Emission (DLE) gas turbine combustion systems cannot be used directly for hydrogen combustion, says Kawasaki. The development of a so-called micro-mix fuel chamber makes it possible to operate gas turbines with 100 percent hydrogen. According to the information, the combustion system achieves significantly lower nitrogen emissions (NOx) “than conventional combustion systems” “without additional use of water or steam” and burns hydrogen without CO2.
- game changer: In addition, the “Energy Hub” project was Wilhelmshaven honored as a “game changer”. From the development of an LNG import infrastructure to the production of green and blue hydrogen and new import capacities for hydrogen, ammonia and synthetic methane to hydrogen storage, the construction of hydrogen pipelines and industrial hydrogen applications, the port will represent the entire value chain of the future hydrogen economy.
Innovation Prize of the German Gas Industry: Winner of the “Gamechanger” category. © Future Gas / Claudius Pflug
By quickly setting up the import infrastructure for liquefied natural gas, the project “makes a significant contribution to securing our energy supply”. The authors of a current publication published by the German Energy Agency GmbH (Dena). Study certify that the Energy Hub is “a key location for the import of hydrogen derivatives and accelerates the ramp-up of an international hydrogen economy in Europe”. Electrolysers with a total output of 2030 gigawatts are planned by 1,1. “In this way, over 50 percent of Germany’s hydrogen needs could be covered by the Energy Hub in 2030 through in-house production and import.
Tip: Open day. The hydrogen village Bitterfeld-Wolfen opens on 9. November and at 14 December 2022 its doors for those interested. The organizer asks for Registration.
Photo above
In the hydrogen village of Bitterfeld-Wolfen there is now a 1.400 meter long distribution network for pure hydrogen. © Envia M / Hans-G. Rough
