8/12/2019 MicrobEnergy_power-To-gas Power to Methane
1/4
Storing excess power in the gas grid
Power-to-gas
8/12/2019 MicrobEnergy_power-To-gas Power to Methane
2/4
Power (GW) Excess power
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
0 8 /0 5 0 9 /0 5 1 0 /0 5 1 1 /0 5 1 2 /0 5 1 3 /0 5 1 4 /0 5 1 5 /0 5 1 6 /0 5 1 7 /0 5 1 8 /0 5 1 9 /0 5 2 0 /0 5 21/05
(Two week period)
OH
H+
Anode Cathode
Current
+
Power-to-gas
Excess power is converted into
methane using electrolysis and CO2.
The methane can be transported and
stored in the gas grid, and can be
converted into power as required.
Offshore wind energy
Onshore wind energy
Excess power from
renewables
Photovoltaics
Electrolysis
Combined heat and power units
Methanisation
Methane (CH4)
Transfer station
Natural gas grid
Heating
network
Power grid
CO2
H2Microorganisms
Geothermal
Hydroelectric
Photovoltaics
Offshore wind
Onshore wind
Load
Producing hydrogen from
excess power
Microorganisms and CO2act
on the hydrogen, converting
it into synthetic methane.
Methane is injected directly
into the natural gas grid.
Power-to-gas: Storing excess power in the gas grid
Excess power Electrolysis Methanisation Power / gas grids
8/12/2019 MicrobEnergy_power-To-gas Power to Methane
3/4
The expanding use of renewables creates
new challenges for the power supply sector.
Weather-dependant renewable energy
sources, such as wind and the sun, inevitably
lead to peaks in power generation. Currently,
these can still be balanced out by reducing
the output of conventional power stations. As
the proportion of renewable energy grows,
innovative storage technologies will become of
real importance.
The German natural gas grid has immense
storage capacities. This means that the
production of synthetic methane from
excess wind or solar power with the help of
power-to-gas technology now presents real
opportunities.
MicrobEnergy GmbH specialists in methanisation
MicrobEnergy GmbH, which is part of
the Viessmann Group, develops and sells
microbiological products and technical system
components. The company, furthermore, also
specialises in process control and optimising
biological systems.
Electrolysis as intermediate step
The basic principles behind power-to-gas
can be described as follows: Excess power
is converted into hydrogen by means of
electrolysis. This is followed by what is known
as the methanisation stage, in which synthetic
methane is obtained from hydrogen and
carbon dioxide (CO2). The required CO2can
be sourced from industrial processes, the
surrounding air or biogas plants.
The methanisation of excess power makes
conventional power stations redundant
Microorganisms convert
power into methane
MicrobEnergy uses highly specialised
microorganisms, which convert hydrogen and
carbon into pure methane. The microorganisms
function at ambient pressure and temperature,
and there are no special requirements
regarding the purity of the source gases.
The synthetic methane obtained in this way
can either be held in a gas storage facility and
converted into electricity with a CHP unit as
required, or can be injected directly into the
natural gas grid.
Linking the power and natural gas grids
Power thus becomes the primary energy
and can be used nationwide to generate
heat, or can be converted back to electricityas required, via combined heat and power
stations.
This link between the electricity grid and
natural gas grids is an important condition for
the successful transition from conventional to
renewable fuels.
Microorganisms directly convert
hydrogen and carbon into methane.
The chart shows the power from
renewables that is fed into the grid
over a typical two week period.
Geothermal
Hydroelectric
Photovoltaics
Offshore wind
Onshore wind
Load
Power generated from renewables
Source: FhG IWES
Output[GW]
8/12/2019 MicrobEnergy_power-To-gas Power to Methane
4/4
9440 790 GB 03/2013
Copyright Viessmann.
Duplication and alternative use only with prior written consent.
Subject to technical modifications.
Viessmann Werke GmbH & Co. KG
35107 Allendorf (Eder)
Telephone +49 (0)6452 70-0Fax +49 (0)6452 70-2780
www.viessmann.com
Top Related