Research project H₂-ReNoWe

Hydrogen Region of northwestern Lower Saxony

Nierdersächsisches Ministerium für Wissenschaft und Kultur
Credit:

MWK

As the use of renewable energy sources grows in the course of the energy transition, the issue of sustainable energy generation is becoming increasingly relevant. The research project entitled “H₂-ReNoWe” (referring to the “Hydrogen Region” of northwestern Lower Saxony) focuses on green hydrogen, i.e. hydrogen produced by sustainable means.

Research project H₂-ReNoWe

 

Duration

May 2021 to April 2024

Funded by

Ministry of Science and Culture of Lower Saxony

Project participants

  • Institute of Networked Energy Systems
  • Institute of Engineering Thermodynamics
  • TU Clausthal, Institute of Electrical Power Engineering and Energy Systems
  • TU Clausthal, Institute of Energy Process Engineering and Fuel Technology
  • TU Clausthal, Institute of Mineral and Waste Processing, Recycling and Circular Economy Systems
  • Uniper Kraftwerke GmbH
  • Uniper Energy Storage GmbH
  • FEST Group GmbH

This project is intended to contribute to the sustainable management of hydrogen in the Wesermarsch region by switching the Huntorf compressed air energy storage power station to a CO₂-free operating mode. Amongst other things, research is being conducted on the production and storage of renewable energy and its impact on the electricity supply. They will also explore opportunities for integrating and marketing more locally-produced green hydrogen and oxygen in the mobility sector in the future. The research project will build on this and find out how hydrogen can become an established alternative to the existing energy supply. To this end, the existing infrastructure in the Huntorf power station will be utilised and expanded so that the scenarios devised can be simulated and tested on site.

The scientists at the Institute of Networked Energy Systems are mainly responsible for analysing and assessing the potential that the Huntorf power station offers as a location. They are also preparing a simulation of the expected energy flows at the site and analysing their results in preparation for the next steps in the process.

Departments, research groups and challenges related to the H₂-ReNoWe project:

Department

Energy Systems Technology

The Energy Systems Technology department focuses on the interaction between system-relevant technologies within decentralised networked structures, particularly at the low-voltage and medium-voltage level.

Research Group

Flexibilities and Ancillary Services

The Flexibilities and System Ancillary Services research group is investigating which tools, operational management strategies and additional infrastructure are required in order to operate the electricity grids in a stable, reliable and robust manner.

Challenge

Balancing energy supply and demand

The simultaneity of electricity generation and consumption is the basis for a stable energy system. While fossil and nuclear power plants have so far been deployed according to demand, the dominant renewable energies in the electricity system are heavily dependent on weather - and therefore not available at any given time.