Research project WENde

Water efficiency in Germany’s energy transition

Credit:

BMFTR

The production of green hydrogen and methanol is considered an important element in the transformation of future energy systems. At the same time, large-scale Power-to-X production requires considerable water resources and must therefore be planned in such a way that water and energy infrastructures are connected more efficiently. The WENde research project, funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space, addresses this challenge through the technical and systemic integration of water and energy systems.

Research project WENde

 

Duration

July 2026 to June 2029

Funded by

Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space

Project participants

  • DLR Institute of Networked Energy Systems
  • DVGW Research Center at the Engler-Bunte-Institute of Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)
  • Oldenburgisch-Ostfriesischer Wasserverband (OOWV)
  • DECHEMA Gesellschaft für Chemische Technik und Biotechnologie e.V. (Society for Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology)
  • Innovationszentrum für Nachhaltigkeit und Produktionstechnologie GmbH (Innovation Centre for Sustainability and Production Technology)
  • Kehl University of Applied Sciences

The WENde project aims to develop and demonstrate integrated water and energy management concepts for green hydrogen and methanol production in Germany. To this end, the project participants are investigating the use of municipal and industrial wastewater as alternative water sources for Power-to-X plants, as well as the treatment and internal reuse of methanol process water to close water cycles. The approaches developed will be tested experimentally, demonstrated under practical conditions and optimised for a Power-to-X plant at the Nordenham site in Lower Saxony. In addition, the project analyses the technical requirements and regulatory frameworks necessary for economically viable operation. The resulting findings are to be incorporated into guidelines for water- and energy-efficient Power-to-X plants. In this way, the project ensures transferability and scalability to further applications involving coupled water-energy systems.

Within the WENde project, the Institute of Networked Energy Systems focuses in particular on questions relating to the coupling of water and energy supply on different levels. For this purpose, the researchers are developing models for the optimal design of Power-to-X plants, that take water availability into account, as well as for the simulation of cost-optimised production of so-called ultrapure water and methanol. In addition, the MTRESS and REMix modelling frameworks developed at the Institute are being applied for local and supra-regional analyses of water and energy supply. In these integrated scenario analyses, the Institute is investigating how water treatment and wastewater treatment technologies influence the costs and robustness of future energy system designs. The aim is to create sound decision-making foundations for integrated water-energy systems in close coordination with stakeholders such as plant engineering companies and municipal plant operators.

Our core topics and challenges related to the WENde project:

Core topic

Energy Scenarios and Technology Assessment

The Energy Scenarios and Technology Assessment core topic assesses alternative options and pathways for the transformation towards a sustainable energy economy. The aim is a holistic assessment across the entire life cycle of the technologies.

Core Topic

Energy System Modelling

The Energy System Modelling research group is developing methods and solutions for the planning and operation of future energy infrastructures. The primary focus lies in examining how various technologies can contribute to creating energy systems that are sustainable, reliable, and cost-effective.

Core Topic

Smart Energy Management

The Smart Energy Management research group develops methods and strategies to optimise the operation and design of future energy systems hand in hand.

Challenge

Strategies for sustainable energy systems

Energy transition is a dynamic process that must be continuously adapted to new influences such as technical innovations or socially negotiated framework conditions.

Challenge

Grid management: Electricity, gas, and heating grids

To ensure that energy is not only available on the balance sheet, but also in the right place at the right time, electricity, gas, and heating grids must be analysed in anticipation of future challenges, adapted in their operational management and modernised and expanded in terms of infrastructure.

Contact

Energy Scenarios and Technology Assessment

Core topic
Institute of Networked Energy Systems

Energy System Modeling

Core topic
Institute of Networked Energy Systems

Smart Energy Management

Core topic
Institute of Networked Energy Systems