Uniper SE: Windgas for the energy transition: Uniper lays cornerstone for methanation plant

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DGAP-Media / 2017-07-06 / 15:08 
 
· *Expansion of existing power-to-gas plant in Falkenhagen, Germany* 
 
· *Sector coupling for renewable electricity through conversion to 
methane* 
 
· *Part of the European STORE&GO research project* 
 
The successfully tested power-to-gas plant in Falkenhagen is entering its 
next phase with the expansion of a methanation plant. The current plant 
already has the capability to feed small amounts of pure hydrogen (so-called 
"WindGas") directly into the natural gas network. The new methanation plant 
will additionally be able to convert hydrogen into methane using CO2. This 
methane is synthetic natural gas, which can be transported from reservoirs 
and pipelines in unlimited amounts and stored in the existing natural gas 
infrastructure. In this way, it enables the storage of large amounts of 
energy that can be used in various sectors e.g. in the heating market, in 
industry, in mobility and in power generation, anywhere and at any time. It 
can also be used as backup whenever solar and wind power is not available in 
the necessary amounts. The plant is scheduled to be completed in the spring 
of 2018. 
 
With the successful operating phase of the existing demonstration facility, 
which was launched in August 2013, Uniper has proven that with the aid of 
power-to-gas technology, surplus wind power can be converted into hydrogen 
and fed into the regional natural gas network. The power-to-gas plant has an 
output of two megawatts and generates 360 cubic meters of hydrogen per hour. 
Falkenhagen in Brandenburg is an ideal location, owing to its high wind 
generating capacity and the well-developed power and gas infrastructure 
already in place. 
 
The new methanation plant will be built right next to the power-to-gas plant 
and consists of several components: two different prototype catalytic 
reactors for methanation are being installed and will be tested during the 
project. Up to 57 Nm³/h SNG (volumetric flow of synthetic natural gas) will 
be produced - an output equivalent to approx. 600 kWh per hour. In addition, 
the heat generated during conversion will be supplied to a nearby veneer 
plant. 
 
"Power-to-gas is one of the key technologies for the energy transition. In 
Falkenhagen, we have developed this technology to the point of commercial 
viability. Renewable energy is being converted into windgas, which can be 
used in a wide variety of ways - and will soon be made available through 
methanation. Large-scale deployment is currently hampered, however, by the 
lack of a regulatory framework that needs to consider the role of storage 
technologies so that the requisite integration of renewables through 
power-to-gas can soon start moving forward," says Eckhardt Rümmler, 
responsible for innovations on the Uniper board. 
 
Uniper is building and operating the new plant together with thyssenkrupp 
Industrial Solutions, the German Gas and Water Industry Association (DVGW) 
and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). thyssenkrupp and KIT are 
designing the reactors for methanation and KIT is also providing scientific 
assistance to the project over the planned 24-month operating phase. The 
DVGW, represented by DVGW Research Center at Engler-Bunte-Institut of 
Karlsruhe Institute for Technology (KIT), is responsible for overall 
coordination of this European project. 
 
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Thomas Kolb, KIT Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, DVGW 
Research Centre at Engler-Bunte-Institute of KIT: "Power-to-gas technologies 
and natural gas infrastructure are indispensable elements of the energy 
supply of the future for Germany and Europe." 
 
Dr. Ralph Kleinschmidt, Head of Technology & Innovation at thyssenkrupp 
Industrial Solutions AG: "From today's perspective, gas storage systems are 
the only technology available for storing large amounts of energy from wind 
power over a period of several months. In the future, we will be able to use 
industrial emissions or CO2 from the atmosphere for methane recovery. The 
power-to-gas facility in Falkenhagen is a crucial step toward an industrial 
use of this technology." 
 
Dr.-Ing. Klaus Freytag from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy and 
Torsten Uhe, county commissioner for the County of Prignitz as well as 
guests from the political, scientific and business communities participated 
in the cornerstone laying ceremony moderated by Dr. Axel Wietfeld, Managing 
Director of Uniper Energy Storage. 
 
Your contact for further information: 
 
Uniper SE 
Sabine Meixner 
[phone] 
[e-mail] 
 
thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions AG 
Tino Fritsch 
[phone] 
[e-mail] [1] 
 
VGW 
Daniel Wosnitzka 
+ 49 30 794736-64 
[e-mail] 
 
KIT 
Monika Landgraf 
[phone] 
[e-mail] 
 
*About Uniper* 
Uniper is a leading international energy company with operations in more 
than 40 countries and some 13,000 employees. It focuses on the safe delivery 
of energy and related services. Its activities include electricity 
generation in Europe and Russia as well as global energy trading. Uniper 
operates gas storage facilities in Germany, Austria and the UK, and plays an 
important role in the safe and flexible delivery of natural gas. Uniper is 
one of the first companies to be involved in the field of power-to-gas and 
operates demonstration facilities in Hamburg, Reitbrook and Falkenhagen. 
Uniper is headquartered in Düsseldorf, Germany. 
www.uniper.energy [2] 
 
*About thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions* 
The Industrial Solutions business area at thyssenkrupp is a leading partner 
for the engineering, construction and service of industrial plants and 
systems. Based on more than 200 years of experience we supply tailored, 
turnkey plants and components for customers in the chemical, fertilizer, 
cement, mining and steel industries. As a system partner to the automotive, 
aerospace and naval sectors we develop highly specialized solutions to meet 
the individual requirements of our customers. More than 21,000 employees at 
over 70 locations form a global network with a technology portfolio that 
guarantees maximum productivity and cost-efficiency. 
www.thyssenkrupp-industrial-solutions.com [3] 
 
*About the DVGW, the Deutscher Verein des Gas- und Wasserfaches e.V. (German 
Gas and Water Industry Association)* 
The German Gas and Water Industry Association, eV. (DVGW) lends assistance 
to the gas and water supply sector with a focus on safety, hygiene and 
environmental protection. Together with its more than 13,600 members, the 
DVGW develops the generally accepted technical regulations for gas and water 
services. The association initiates and supports research projects and 
provides training across an entire range of topics relating to the gas and 
water sector. In addition, it operates a testing and certification program 
for products, personnel as well as businesses. The DVGW's technical 
regulations serve as the basis of technical self-management and 
accountability for the gas and water industry in Germany. They guarantee the 
safe supply of gas and water at the highest international standards. The 
non-profit association was founded in 1859 in Frankfurt am Main. The DVGW is 
self-funding and non-partisan. The research activities are decentral 
organized. The research facilities of DVGW like DVGW Research Center at 
Engler-Bunte-Institut of Karlsruhe Institut of Technology (KIT) connect 
scientific expertise and cooperation with academia with the practical 
aspects of gas and water industry. 
 
*About KIT, the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology* 
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) - The Research University in the 
Helmholtz Association - pools its three core tasks of research, higher 
education, and innovation in a mission. With about 9,300 employees and 
25,000 students, KIT is one of the big institutions of research and higher 
education in natural sciences and engineering in Europe. 
www.kit.edu [4] 
 
*About STORE&GO* 
The international project STORE&GO was launched in 2016 as part of Horizon 
2020, the European Union's research and innovation program. The focus of 
research is on the production of renewable gases via methanation, then 
storing them on an industrial scale for the purpose of enabling 
cost-effective operations. In addition to the technological issues involved, 
economic and legal concerns are also addressed. Research is carried out 
using three different power-to-gas concepts at three sites in Germany 
(Falkenhagen, Brandenburg), Italy (Troia, Apulia) and Switzerland 
(Solothurn). The project consortium is comprised of 27 partners from six 
European countries. The STORE&GO project is scheduled to run for a period of 
four years (2016-2020) with a total budget of approx. 28 million euros, of 
which approx. 18 million euros will be funded by the EU. 
http://cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/200559_en.html [5] or 
https://www.storeandgo.info/ 
 
This press release may contain forward-looking statements based on current 
assumptions and forecasts made by the Uniper SE Management and other 
information currently available to Uniper. Various known and unknown risks, 
uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between 
the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance 
of the company and the estimates given here. Uniper SE does not intend, and 
does not assume any liability whatsoever, to update these forward-looking 
statements or to conform them to future events or developments. 
 
End of Media Release 
Additional features: 
 
Picture: http://newsfeed2.eqs.com/uniperag/590305.html [6] 
Subtitle: Von links nach rechts: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Thomas Kolb, KIT Karlsruher 
Institut für Technologie, Rene Schoof, Projektleiter Power-to-Gas, Uniper, 
Torsten Uhe, Landrat des Landkreises Prignitz, Dr.-Ing Klaus Freytag, 
Ministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie, Dr. 
 
Issuer: Uniper SE 
Key word(s): Energy 
 

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