Issue 12-2024

Research for the energy system of the future and for Europe’s citizens and economy

Christopher Weßelmann

The energy transition is one of the key challenges of our time. Reducing climate-changing emissions while expanding renewable energy is necessary not only to meet global climate goals, but also to ensure Europe’s long-term energy security. It is clear that the energy transition cannot be successfully implemented without intensive research and innovation. Research is key to achieving technological breakthroughs, ensuring economic competitiveness and strengthening the European Research and Economic Area.

One of the main challenges of the energy transition is the integration of renewable energies into existing energy systems. Wind and solar energy are weather dependent and intermittent. Efficient energy storage technologies and smart grids are therefore essential to ensure security of supply. Research into battery technologies, hydrogen as an energy storage medium and alternative approaches such as power-to-x is crucial. These technologies could not only revolutionise the energy sector, but also create new markets and secure jobs in Europe.

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Forecasts and scenarios for global energy supply until 2050 – synopsis of the approaches and results of studies published in 2024

Hans-Wilhelm Schiffer

Various institutions regularly publish studies on the prospects for global energy supply. These include government-backed international organizations, energy companies, consulting firms and scientific institutes. When it comes to the future paths presented, a distinction must be made between forecasts and scenarios. The different methodological approaches used are outlined and the used approaches are categorized. Against the background of developments over the past decades, the quantitative results achieved in the studies on the development of primary energy consumption and electricity generation up to 2050 – differentiated according to energy sources – are presented. This is done by explaining existing similarities and differences. In a conclusion, messages are drawn that can be derived from the analyzes – especially with a view to compliance with the climate goals.

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Wind energy in Latvia – mismatch between the potential and reality

Anna Lankovska, Katarīna Brence, Dzintars Jaunzems and Dagnija Blumberga

The process of wind energy development in Latvia, from conception to realization and operation, has been studied. It was concluded that in Latvia, both on the offshore and onshore, there is a great potential for wind energy due to favorable climatic conditions. During the research, the main obstacles, and risks for the development of wind energy were identified. Furthermore, the expected benefits for the Latvian economy were evaluated through a systematic analysis conducted. By performing modelling in the Energy Pro program, the amount of real electricity production of a wind power plant (WPP) in the Ventspils region was assessed. The amount of capital investment and operating costs required for the WPP, as well as the payback time, considering the price of electricity, have also been calculated. Based on the analysis of the Latvian wind energy industry and the WPP projects, proposals have been made for organizing the development of the wind energy industry in the territory of Latvia.

Classification of different energy storage options in the future wholesale market

Witold Arnold, Sebastian Bohnes and Peter Moser

In addition to the direct generation of electricity from renewable energies, flexible, emission-neutral capacities are increasingly needed for security of supply. An important pillar, for example, are hydrogen-capable gas-fired power plants planned by the Federal Republic of Germany. In addition, it is expected that large energy storage capacities will also be used for energy shifting. In principle, different energy storage options are conceivable for this, which differ in terms of their technical and operational characteristics. Conventional comparison methods, such as Levelized Cost of Storage (LCOS), often oversimplify the complexity of the market and thus provide a misleading picture of economic viability. This article therefore presents an extended evaluation approach that incorporates technical and operational parameters to model the operation of energy storage systems more accurately. The analysis shows that both efficiency and storage capacity have a significant influence on economic viability. By combining revenue and cost considerations, preferred storage configurations can be identified. The methodology presented enables a fair, technology-neutral comparison of different energy storage options in the wholesale market.

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Real-world laboratory large-scale heat pumps – a progress report on the construction of a 20 MWth river heat pump in Mannheim

Felix Hack and Norbert Wenn

Germany is still in the early stages of using large-scale heat pumps for heating. However, the potential for sustainable heating using large-scale heat pumps in Germany is huge, especially in urban areas. The real-world laboratory ‘Large-scale heat pumps in district heating networks’, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection and the European Union, aims to gain practical experience in implementing this technology and to overcome obstacles in the ramp-up. In Mannheim, the energy company MVV Energie AG (MVV) is driving forward the decarbonisation of the district heating supply by, among other things, using river heat from the Rhine. The realisation of a 20 MWth river water heat pump at the site of the large power plant in Mannheim is the first significant building block of this strategy. This plant will help to decarbonise the district heating supply while reducing dependence on fossil fuels and improving grid stability. The successful launch of the large-scale heat pump in November 2023 marks an important milestone for the heating transition in Germany and specifically for the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan region. It shows that with political will, technological innovation and strategic planning, a sustainable heating supply is possible that offers both environmental and economic benefits.

Investigations into NOx reduction on natural gas flames using two different flame cooler designs

Michael Beyer, Thomas Schmidt and Mario Nowitzki

The requirements for NOx emissions have become increasingly stringent since the 1970s. In the past, the temperature at the end of the combustion chamber and thus the NOx emissions were reduced by lowering the combustion chamber load. By reducing the flame temperature by adding external flue gas recirculation, NOx emissions even further by adding external flue gas recirculation, today’s burners are mainly able to achieve NOx emission values below 50 mg/m³n@3%O2 by means of sophisticated staging concepts. In addition to the direct NOx reduction measures mentioned above (primary measures), secondary NOx reduction measures are also used. Two of the most important methods for secondary NOx reduction are ‘selective-non-catalytic NOx reduction’ (SNCR) and ‘selective-catalytic NOx reduction’ (SCR). In the SNCR process, the injection of ammonia or urea in the combustion chamber reduces the emissions of the flue gases to the required level. In the SCR process, a catalyst is used so that NOx values in a lower flue gas temperature range can be catalytically reduced (SCR process). The process presented here for reducing NOx emissions refers to a primary measure for burner systems with gaseous, liquid and fine-grained pulverised fuels.

Practical experiences of ERK tubes in superheater of RDF fired boiler

Nikolai Sachno, Michael Beyer and Stefan Kohn

Boilers in waste incineration plants or RDF plants suffer greatly from corrosion on the flue gas side due to the high chlorine (high-temperature corrosion) or sulfur (low-temperature corrosion) content of the flue gases. The thicker the deposits, the higher the corrosion rates. The superheaters of the boilers in the waste-to-energy plant in Bamberg, designed by the company ERK Eckrohrkessel, have a long service life due to the longitudinal flue gas flow instead of the usual transverse flow in tailend boilers, which reduces the growth of deposits. Tests were carried out at the RDF incinerator in Braunsbedra to determine whether the growth of deposits on the structured tubes (ERK Tubes®) was reduced compared to smooth tubes, and thus whether corrosion was also reduced. The coatings on four tube rows and an intermediate section of the hot superheater, which was subjected to a longitudinal flow, were analysed by the Technical University of Dresden. The deposit growth of the ERK Tubes® is significantly reduced and corresponds to about 36 % (for the longitudinal flow area) and 45 % (for the cross-flow area) of that of the smooth tubes.

Review vgbe Conference Chemistry 2024

vgbe energy

This year, the traditional vgbe Chemistry Conference celebrated its 60th anniversary. From October 22 to 24, 2024, approximately 160 participants from Germany and abroad gathered in Potsdam to discuss and learn about the latest trends and challenges in power plant chemistry.

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56th Kraftwerkstechnisches Kolloquium

Sandra Leik

The 56th Power Plant Technology Colloquium (KWTK) took place this year on 8 and 9 October at the International Congress Center Dresden. As in the last five years, the KWTK 2024 was designed as a hybrid event, with 810 participants on site and 20 participants online. The conference, consisting of a plenary session, two panel discussions, 92 technical presentations by high-profile speakers, and a fully booked company exhibition with 102 exhibitors, offered participants from industry, politics, and research a comprehensive platform for exchanging ideas on current developments and innovations in power plant technology and energy supply. The main topics in 2024 included hydrogen, digitalisation, new construction and pilot projects, combustion and steam generators, nuclear energy systems, integration of renewable energy sources, as well as grids, operation and maintenance. The next Power Plant Technology Colloquium will take place on 7 and 8 October 2025.

Editorial

Christopher Weßelmann

Editor in Chief vgbe energy

Research for the energy system of the future and for Europe’s citizens and economy

Dear readers of the vgbe energy journal,

The European Research Area has a crucial role to play. Cross-border cooperation can exploit synergies and accelerate innovation. Programmes such as Horizon Europe support research projects that aim to advance the energy transition. Europe has the potential to become a world leader in energy technology through research and development. Close cooperation between universities, research institutes and industry is the key to a sustainable and competitive energy supply.

Moreover, research is not only a question of technical feasibility, but also of economic and social acceptability. New technologies must be cost-effective and accessible to the general public. Only in this way can the energy transition be a social success. Research institutions in Europe are contributing to the achievement of these goals through innovative approaches and interdisciplinary cooperation. In addition to the technical aspects, social science studies are becoming increasingly important to investigate the acceptance of new technologies and to develop strategies for their successful implementation.

The economic importance of the energy system transformation for Europe should not be underestimated. By investing in research and development, European companies can increase their competitiveness and play a pioneering role in new technology markets. In particular, the development of cutting-edge technologies such as innovative wind turbines, more efficient photovoltaic systems or CO2 capture and storage technologies offers huge economic opportunities. These innovations not only create jobs but also strengthen Europe’s position in the global market.

Another key aspect of the energy transition is the decarbonisation of industry. Many energy-intensive sectors, such as steel and chemicals, face the challenge of fundamentally changing their processes to become carbon neutral. Here too, research has a crucial role to play. Pilot projects and new technologies, such as the use of green hydrogen in steel production, are promising approaches to making industry more sustainable.

The energy transition will also require a transformation of infrastructure. Expanding electricity grids, developing charging infrastructure for electric vehicles and creating storage facilities are essential building blocks for a successful transition. Research and innovation are the driving forces here, developing future-proof solutions and further optimising existing technologies.

But research also needs time, resources and clear political support. Investing in research and development is an investment in the future. Only with consistent funding can the innovations needed to drive the energy transition be achieved. It is important that policy-makers have the courage to take a long-term view and create a framework that is conducive to research and innovation.