Investigating the use of hydrogen in energy-intensive industries
Thuringia's glass, ceramics and metal industries will face enormous challenges in the coming years when it comes to switching to renewable energies. The results of a research project on the industrial use of green hydrogen, which were presented in Erfurt on Wednesday, should help with this. The project, which ran for two years, was funded by the Thuringian Ministry of Energy with around 400,000 euros.
According to the Thuringian Renewable Energy Network (THEEN), the project demonstrated how companies with thermal production processes can replace their natural gas requirements by using hydrogen.
"In order to make progress with green hydrogen in Thuringia, we need good integration into the German-European hydrogen network," explained Environment Minister Bernhard Stengele (Greens). However, it is also important to expand wind power locations in particular in order to be able to produce green hydrogen in the state itself.
According to THEEN, a concept for the Hermsdorfer Kreuz industrial cluster with several companies in Eastern Thuringia for climate-neutral and efficient energy supply was presented. "The results show that not only chemical companies and steel manufacturers are suitable for the future use of green hydrogen, but that hydrogen can also be a relevant pillar of the future and CO2-free energy supply for other industries," said THEEN project manager Christoph Frenkel.
The focus was on what the energy supply at the high-tech Hermsdorfer Kreuz site could look like in the future. A decentralized hydrogen supply is considered a "sensible entry option for a group of companies".
According to the ministry, Thuringian industrial companies are currently being asked to inform the network operators of their future hydrogen requirements in order to obtain a connection to the planned hydrogen pipelines along the Autobahn 4.
The company's potential shift towards utilizing green hydrogen in their energy-intensive processes could be facilitated by the results of the recent research. Furthermore, strengthening the German-European hydrogen network is crucial for the wide-scale implementation of green hydrogen within The company's operations.
Source: www.dpa.com
