Pilot project in Prenzlau as a practical test for future gas infrastructure
Dauerthal / Berlin — Hydrogen is a crucial energy source that will in future connect electricity and gas infrastructures to form an energy system.
It can be generated with power-to-gas technologies and renewable electricity, mixed in with the natural gas network, transported and made available as needed for applications in mobility, industry and the heating market.
For applications that do not tolerate a gas mixture, the hydrogen must be removed again. This applies in particular to industrial customers who are sensitive to gas quality. To this end – with the signing of the cooperation agreement – six partners from the gas industry and research are starting the project “Membrane separation natural gas-hydrogen Prenzlau”.
Together we investigate DBI Gas- und Umwelttechnik GmbH (DBI), ONTRAS Gastransport GmbH (ONTRAS), the French transmission system operator GRTgaz SA (GRTgaz), Mitteldeutsche Netzgesellschaft Gas mbH (MITNETZ GAS), and the DVGW German Association of Gas and Water Specialists eV (DVGW), as well as the associated partner the renewable energy company ENERTRAG, how hydrogen is made from different natural gas membranes -Hydrogen mixtures, can be separated.
To this end, engineers plan and build a pilot plant at Prenzlau in the coming weeks. The local power-to-gas plant at ENERTRAG also supplies green hydrogen generated from wind power. This is mixed with the natural gas in the ONTRAS network via the existing feed-in system with up to 20 percent by volume. (DVGW) and as an associated partner the renewable energy company ENERTRAG, how hydrogen can be separated from natural gas-hydrogen mixtures using different membranes. To this end, engineers plan and build a pilot plant at Prenzlau in the coming weeks. The local power-to-gas plant at ENERTRAG also supplies green hydrogen generated from wind power. This is mixed with the natural gas in the ONTRAS network via the existing feed-in system with up to 20 percent by volume. (DVGW) and as an associated partner the renewable energy company ENERTRAG, how hydrogen can be separated from natural gas-hydrogen mixtures using different membranes.
To this end, engineers plan and build a pilot plant at Prenzlau in the coming weeks. The local power-to-gas plant at ENERTRAG also supplies green hydrogen generated from wind power. This is mixed with the natural gas in the ONTRAS network via the existing feed-in system with up to 20 percent by volume. green hydrogen. This is mixed with the natural gas in the ONTRAS network via the existing feed-in system with up to 20 percent by volume. green hydrogen. This is mixed with the natural gas in the ONTRAS network via the existing feed-in system with up to 20 percent by volume.
In the pilot plant, the partners test which membranes are best suited for the recovery of hydrogen, which quantities can be separated from the gas flow and which degree of purity this hydrogen achieves. The answers to these questions are of crucial importance for the configuration of a future hydrogen economy: Can hydrogen and natural gas, thanks to membrane technology, be transported as a mixture in the future and thus provide the gas quantities required for pure hydrogen and methane applications? Or do separate hydrogen and mixed gas infrastructures have to be planned? The system will therefore undergo a practical suitability test for the first time, which can mean significant changes for a gas infrastructure aimed for in the future.
“As a transmission system operator, we are interested in whether membranes protect conventional gas applications from hydrogen and whether we can cover pure hydrogen requirements with natural gas-hydrogen mixtures from our network,” says Ralph Bahke, ONTRAS Managing Director. “The gas molecules do not stop at the borders, which is why cross-border cooperation is the key to success.” Therefore Sandrine Meunier, RICE director (GRTgaz research center) emphasizes: “I am very pleased that RICE is able to develop its relationship with this partnership ONTRAS can expand, so it’s important that the gas network operators unite to meet the many challenges of feeding hydrogen into gas infrastructures and thus prepare their future together. ”
The head of technology and innovation management at the umbrella organization DVGW, Frank Gröschl, emphasizes: “The existing gas infrastructure offers ideal conditions for absorbing, storing, transporting and distributing hydrogen. For this, the DVGW revises the existing regulations. There is further need for research in particular on some applications for end customers, which often require a certain gas quality. Membranes can be the solution for this by separating the hydrogen-natural gas mixture into the two components and thus making it available for hydrogen customers and applications. “And the CEO of ENERTRAG Jörg Müller describes the potential of this practical test: “Until now, we were only allowed to feed two percent hydrogen into the gas network due to the technical regulations from our hybrid power plant. Membrane technology allows at least ten times the amount – this is a revolution for the storage of renewable energies. ”
ENERTRAG provides all services related to renewable energies. We efficiently combine electricity, heat and mobility in all areas of life. As an energy producer with an annual production of 1.45 million MWh in stock, 672 plants installed and a “PowerSystem” service network with monitored 1,120 wind turbines, we know from our own experience what is important for our customers. With over two decades of experience in Europe, our 630 employees combine all the skills required for successful operation and efficient maintenance, for citizen-friendly planning, reliable construction of energy systems and networks, and even complete composite power plants. We are always one step ahead – be it with sector coupling, participation models or needs-based night-time labeling.
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