Fraunhofer IMWS Involved in the “GreenHydroChem” Green Hydrogen Project

Reallabor researches entire value chain for green hydrogen

In central Germany, a real laboratory for the generation, transport, storage and use of green hydrogen is about to be created. Siemens, Linde AG, VNG Gasspeicher GmbH, ONTRAS Gastransport GmbH, Terrawatt Planungsgesellschaft GmbH, DBI Gastechnologisches Institut gGmbH Freiberg, Uniper, 50Hertz Transmission GmbH and the Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems IMWS are involved in the planning. 

The project partners are participating in the ideas competition “Reallabore der Energiewende” of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) with “GreenHydroChem Mitteldeutsches Chemiedreieck” (GreenHydroChem).

Today, they submitted project drafts for the subprojects “Electrolyzer Leuna” and “Energiepark Bad Lauchstädt” to the responsible project sponsor Jülich (PtJ).

With the project “GreenHydroChem” activities of the HYPOS eV are further developed. Since 2013, the association has been bundling and coordinating regionally the competences of business and science with regard to Green Hydrogen in Central Germany and beyond.

Real lab covers entire hydrogen value chain

While there are already numerous projects in the field of mobility for applications of green hydrogen, the entire value-added chain, including the generation of green hydrogen, has so far been considered only in theory or in individual aspects. This is where GreenHydroChem comes in to represent the entire value creation process in Central Germany, which offers the ideal conditions with its chemistry triangle.

The basic concept of “GreenHydroChem” comprises the intelligent combination of large-scale electrolysis (production), hydrogen pipeline (transport), hydrogen cavern (storage) and corresponding bulk purchasers (use) for green hydrogen in a systemic approach via three subprojects. To this end, the partners want to use and expand existing infrastructure in central Germany. In addition, the corresponding power capacities from renewable energies are available, both in the grid and through a planned direct connection to a wind farm in Bad Lauchstädt. The network and system-appropriate use of the systems should also be tested.

Up to 140 megawatts of electrolyzer capacity

In detail, the project includes the construction of large-scale electrolysis plants at the Leuna sites with a capacity of up to 100 megawatts and Bad Lauchstädt with a capacity of up to 40 megawatts, a facility for the conversion of carbonaceous residues and the use of a cavern storage facility in Bad Lauchstädt with gas grid connection the existing hydrogen pipeline system of Central Germany. This is where green hydrogen reaches potential customers, such as the refinery in Leuna. The cavern storage facility, with a capacity of 50 million cubic meters, ensures a continuous supply to bridge periods of wind droughts and maintenance measures at the electrolysis plants.

Up to 91 percent less greenhouse gas emissions

The project partners want to develop and realize the real laboratory by 2024. If implemented successfully, “GreenHydroChem” will make a significant contribution to the energy transition and the further development of the Central German economic region by linking industrial value chains with renewable electricity generation. The resulting green hydrogen reduces the greenhouse gas emissions by up to 91 percent.

Keyword »Real Lab«

As a real laboratory of the energy transition, an innovative and practical experimental environment is called. It offers the opportunity to gain experience under realistic conditions in the scientific preparation, construction and operation of the necessary industrial facilities and to shape the field of tension of innovations, regulatory instruments and social acceptance in a positive and future-proof way. The BMWi promotes these special experimentation rooms via the 7th Energy Research Program.

Source: Fraunhofer