Association of the German Wood-Based Panel Industry e.V.
3:08 min. published on 8.3.2017
Frankfurt/Munich 08/08/2017: The Thüga Group's project phase to explore electricity-to-gas storage technology has been successfully completed. "Reversible storage systems are an important component of the energy transition. The technology enables surplus wind or solar power to be utilised in the best possible way. We were able to clearly demonstrate that the joint system has passed all load tests in the past three years of practical operation. The technology has provided many insights for further utilisation," said a delighted Dr Constantin H. Alsheimer, CEO of Mainova AG. When the plant was commissioned on Mainova's premises in Frankfurt in 2014, it was the world's first demonstration plant to convert electricity into hydrogen and feed it into the municipal gas distribution network. The aim of electricity-to-gas or power-to-gas technologies is to convert surplus electricity from renewable sources into gas for use in the heating, mobility or power generation market.
In the project, 13 Thüga Group companies pooled their expertise and jointly invested in the development of electricity-to-gas storage technology. The focus was on testing its suitability for practical use. From the project partners' point of view, the electricity-to-gas technology has proven that it fulfils the necessary requirements for practical use. During live operation, the system was interconnected with wind and solar plants, a combined heat and power plant (CHP) and electricity consumption using computer simulation in a virtual smart grid. According to the project partners, the technology has thus also proven itself as a component of intelligent grid structures.
"The system has exceeded our expectations, particularly in terms of efficiency. In its relevant load range between 50 and around 325 kilowatts, the entire system - from electricity extraction to gas feed-in - achieves an efficiency of up to 77 per cent, based on the calorific value," emphasises Michael Riechel, Chairman of the Management Board of Thüga Aktiengesellschaft. "We were also able to prove that electricity-to-gas technology is also suitable in principle for use in the primary control energy market. The great commitment of our colleagues at Mainova played a decisive role in enabling us to achieve these results." More than 1,300 visitors have seen the advantages of electricity-to-gas technology for themselves over the past few months.
From the project partners' point of view, the following economic and energy-related reasons speak in favour of a smart combination of SzG technology and gas distribution grids:
The project partners feel confirmed in their view by the latest study by management consultants enervis. This has analysed various paths to sector coupling, i.e. the networking of electricity and heat by 2050. The study focussed on the topics of costs and security of supply. Two key findings are that, firstly, natural gas is the most cost-efficient CO2avoidance option for heat and, by 2050 and beyond, a cost-effective CO2-energy source for backup power plants. And secondly, that a decarbonised world with a conversion from electricity to gas can be economically more favourable than a world without gas.
"Anyone who fails to take SzG technology into account as part of the decarbonisation of electricity generation, the heating market and the mobility market is blocking the future of what is currently the most promising long-term storage solution and hindering the energy transition," emphasises Mainova CEO Dr Constantin H. Alsheimer. In the opinion of the 13 project partners, the new German government is called upon to present a coherent concept for the development of SzG technology. In concrete terms, the focus is on three points: For market implementation, politicians should launch targeted funding programmes with the aim of reducing costs and further increasing efficiency. Furthermore, a joint network development plan for the network infrastructures (electricity/gas) should be created and an integrated cost analysis of the overall system should be carried out. "Hydrogen and methane from renewable energies must be recognised as biofuels, which will open up additional sales channels for operators," says Michael Riechel, formulating the third demand.
Source: PM Thüga Aktiengesellschaft
Keywords:
Stakeholders, DE-News, Energy storage, Renewable, Research, Climate protection, Mobility, Environmental policy, Ecology
While two large providers are planning a merger, another company is entering the market in Munich with Oply. But it is still open when the city can actively promote the rental system.
Keywords:
Bike-/Velo-City, Mobility, News Blog Bavaria
In its meeting on 26 May 2020, the Rhineland-Palatinate Council of Ministers approved in principle a draft bill to amend, among other things, the Rhineland-Palatinate Building Code. The amendment of the state building code is intended to implement changes to the so-called model building code that have already been adopted or are in preparation.
The amendments to the State Building Code relate in particular to facilitations for building with wood, which the construction ministers of the federal states agreed on at the last Construction Ministers' Conference, according to the official Press release. "I very much welcome the expansion of the possible applications for wood as a material. Wood is a particularly sustainable, environmentally friendly building material that plays an important role in achieving national and international climate protection goals. Moreover, wood is extremely versatile. Components can be produced for all areas of application, and there are particular advantages, for example, for serial construction as well as for conversion and extension measures. Last but not least, wood often enables cost-effective construction and promotes regional forestry, especially in Rhineland-Palatinate. In Rhineland-Palatinate there are many successful, exemplary projects in timber construction," explained Construction Minister Doris Ahnen.
With the amendment of the State Building Code, the use of timber components in taller buildings (especially multi-storey residential buildings) is now to be made possible under certain conditions. Accordingly, wood can be used as a building material for buildings up to a height of 22 metres; previously the limit was 13 metres.
The draft law now goes into the participation and consultation procedure.
Source: PM from Holzbau Deutschland dated 27.5.2020
Keywords:
DE-News, Wood construction, News Blog RLP, Settlements, Environmental policy, Housing, Housing policy
The Board of Directors of the European Investment Bank (EIB) today adopted a new energy lending policy and confirmed more ambitious targets for climate action and environmental sustainability.
"Climate is now high on the political agenda," said EIB President Werner Hoyer. "Science predicts that the temperature will rise by three to four degrees Celsius by the end of the 21st century if we do nothing to combat climate change. Large areas of the earth will then be uninhabitable - with devastating consequences for humanity. The EU Bank has been Europe's climate bank for many years. Today we have taken a big step forward. We will stop financing fossil fuel projects and pursue a climate strategy in the future that exceeds the ambitions of all other public financial institutions. I thank our shareholders, the EU countries, for their support over the past months. Now we will work closely with Member States, the EU Council of Ministers, the European Commission, the European Parliament, international institutions, financial institutions and, above all, the private sector to make Europe's economy climate neutral by 2050."
More commitment to clean energy
The EIB's new energy lending policy sets out five principles that will guide the Bank's future activities in the energy sector:
Andrew McDowell, EIB Vice-President with oversight of the energy sector: "In 2018, CO2-emissions from the global energy industry have reached a new record high. We need to act urgently to stop this trend. The new energy financing policy adopted by the EIB today is an important milestone in the fight against global warming. After a long debate, we were able to agree on a compromise: From the end of 2021, the EU bank will not finance fossil energy projects without CO2-reduction more. This also applies to gas. I would like to thank everyone who took part in the largest public consultation in the EIB's history over the past months. I would also like to thank the Bank's energy experts, who have shown how the EU's bank can drive the global effort towards zero-carbon energy."
Today's agreement brings to an end a review process in which industry, institutions, civil society and the general public have been able to engage. The Bank has received over 149 written submissions from organisations and individuals, as well as petitions with more than 30,000 signatures since January.
Over the past five years, the European Investment Bank has provided more than €65 billion for investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency and energy distribution.
In line with the revised energy sector lending policy approved by the Board of Directors today, from the end of 2021 the Bank will not provide new financing for fossil fuel projects without CO2-reduction. This also applies to gas. In addition, the Bank has set a new emission standard of 250 grams CO2 per kilowatt hour, replacing the previous standard of 550 grams. The EIB had already revised its financing policy in the energy sector in 2013 and adopted a stricter emissions standard. As a result, it was the first international financing institution to stop funding projects for coal and lignite-fired power generation.
For a fair energy transition
Ten EU countries face particular challenges in investing in the energy sector. They are to be supported from a fund for a fair transition. In doing so, the EIB will work closely with the European Commission. For new energy projects in these countries, the bank can finance up to 75 percent of the eligible costs. It also supports these projects with advisory services.
More ambitious targets for climate protection and environmental sustainability
The EU's bank has been Europe's climate bank for many years. Since 2012, the EIB has mobilised a total of €550 billion for projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help countries adapt to the impacts of climate change. This makes the EIB one of the world's largest multilateral donors in this field.
The EIB's Board of Directors today approved a new strategy for climate action and environmental sustainability. The strategy focuses on three main areas:
Emma Navarro, EIB Vice-President overseeing climate action and the environment: "If we are to meet the Paris climate targets, it is essential that we raise our ambition. And that is exactly what we have done today. Two weeks before the UN Climate Change Conference in Madrid, we are sending an important signal to the world: the European Union and its bank - the EIB - will mobilise unprecedented amounts of money for climate change projects around the world. We are also doing everything we can to ensure that from the end of 2020 all our financing is in line with the goals and principles of the Paris Agreement. As agreed in Paris, any financing that is not yet green must become green."
EIB energy lending policy: Supporting the energy transformation
Source: EIB PM of 14 November 2019
Keywords:
Procurement, Renewable, Funding, Climate protection, Sustainable management, News Blog Europe (without DE), Environmental policy, Ecology, Economics
