Analyses of the future energy supply in Jutland and Funen show that when the wind turbine power generation exceeds about 40% of the annual electricity consumption, electricity must be taken out of the power system. Electricity can be used to split water into hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O) with simple electrolysis which also gives off heat.
In large parts of the Central Denmark Region natural gas consumption in combined heat and power plants is considerably less than the biogas potential from livestock manure. Biogas consists of methane (CH4) and CO2. If you react hydrogen produced on wind energy with CO2 in sulfur, purified biogas will be upgraded to pure methane, i.e. to natural gas quality. In one stroke it increases methane production by at least 50%. The pure methane can be sold via the natural gas grid or pressurized and sold for transport.
The project combines electrolysis, biogas upgrading and the natural gas grid, so that
Electrolysis creates hydrogen and heat from wind turbines
CO2 in biogas reacts with H2 from the electrolysis and forms CH4 and high-value steam by biogas reacting directly with H2 i a catalytic converter
The natural gas grid is used for distribution and storage of the produced methane.
Partners in the project: HIRC (Hydrogen Innovation & Research Centre), Planenergi, Haldor Topsøe, GreenHydrogen, HMN Naturgas, Strandmøllen, Lemvig Biogas, Technical University of Denmark, Aarhus University and Agro Business Park/Innovation Network for Biomass.
Project period: 2011 - 2013
