Energy module of the future

A successful transformation and energy transition requires qualified specialists - whether in planning, the skilled trades or industry. As part of the "Energy Module of the Future" (EmZ) project, the Nordenham Technology Center therefore wants to show young people what requirements exist in the field of renewable energy systems and provide examples of how the Technology Center's energy supply can be converted to renewables. Hydrogen is also to be used for this purpose, for which the project is being funded by the state of Lower Saxony.

The town of Nordenham and the district of Wesermarsch founded Zukunftszentrum Technologie Nordenham-Wesermarsch GmbH (ZTNW GmbH) in 2009 to build and operate a technology center (TZN) in Nordenham. This was completed in 2011 and is now to be increasingly powered by renewable energies as part of the "Energy Module of the Future" project.

In order to successfully implement the energy transition at the Nordenham Technology Center, the first step will be to install two PV systems with approx. 120 kWp each using the company's own funds (outside of the funding). The main purpose of the PV systems is to supply part of the company's own operations with renewable electricity. Surplus energy is initially to be temporarily stored in a short-term battery storage system - once this is fully charged, further surplus energy is fed into an electrolyser. The PEM process (proton exchange membrane) is to be used for the subsequent electrolysis in order to be able to react as dynamically as possible to load changes. The hydrogen and oxygen split from water are processed after electrolysis and then stored in pressurized gas tanks and cylinder bundles (bundles of 16). If required, the hydrogen can then be used by means of a fuel cell to supply the operation. The oxygen is to be used as an oxidizing agent. At the Nordenham Technology Center, the self-consumption rate of renewable energies is to be significantly increased through the various measures. Should any surplus electricity be generated, it will be fed into the EWE power grid. The water required for electrolysis is also not taken from the standard water connection, but is instead collected from rainwater on the roofs of the halls. This is collected in tanks and treated by reverse osmosis to produce ultrapure water. "For us, this is another important part of conserving resources throughout the entire process," says Dieter Sichau, Managing Director of the Nordenham Technology Center.

Another component of the project is the so-called "PtX technology" (Power to X). Here, renewable electricity is first used to produce hydrogen. This can then be processed, e.g. by methanation, for various applications - for example as a raw material for the chemical industry (power to chemicals), as drive energy for vehicles, ships and aircraft (power to fuels) or for reconversion into electricity with fuel cells. As the efficiency is reduced due to the conversions, an additional integrated heat exchanger is to use the waste heat from the fuel cell to contribute to heating buildings. This can increase the overall efficiency.

Finally, there are plans to create another possible application for the hydrogen produced in the mobility sector as an example. The hydrogen - using a fuel cell, battery storage and electric motor - is to be used in a small pleasure boat and a forklift truck.

As part of the project, students will also have the opportunity to write bachelor's or master's theses during the respective measures and steps. Pupils at secondary schools and trainees will also be given practical demonstrations of plant operation, so that the new technologies can be brought closer to all interested parties. This is in line with the Technology Center's aim of providing young people with practical knowledge about the energy system of the future.