Researchers from the Gas and Heat Institute Essen (GWI) have started a research project on hydrogen utilization in combined heat and power (CHP) systems. The "HyDi.KWK" project aims to analyze technologies for more efficient hydrogen use – including through digitalization.
The three-year project will receive approximately 6 million euros from funds provided by the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and the European Union, the GWI announced on Friday (December 6). The focus is on establishing a demonstration platform to research both H2 readiness and the digitalization of modern CHP technologies.
"Our goal is to develop innovative solutions for integrating hydrogen into digitalized CHP energy systems," explained project leader Nadine Lucke from GWI. The research work is intended to contribute to decarbonization and resilience of energy supply and enable increased use of renewable energies.
Technical and Economic Prerequisites
Combined heat and power already plays a crucial role in decentralized energy supply for industry, commerce, and residential areas. If these systems can be operated with hydrogen in the future, new market opportunities will open up for green hydrogen. This could, in turn, accelerate market ramp-up.
Particularly relevant is the question of economic viability: The planned demonstration platform will provide insights into the technical and economic prerequisites for hydrogen use in CHP. These experiences can flow into the design of funding instruments. Additionally, the project will provide information on how waste heat generated during hydrogen production can be efficiently integrated into heat networks to optimize the overall system efficiency.
The planned demonstration platform is furthermore intended to deliver insights for technical transformation. By testing under real-world conditions, challenges in converting existing CHP systems to hydrogen can be identified early on. This is essential for broad market introduction of hydrogen-capable CHP systems.
Energy Systems in Transition
The funding is taking place within the framework of the Research Infrastructures.NRW competition. Its focus lies on application-oriented promotion of research and technological development in the region. The GWI, as an independent research institute, brings in more than 85 years of experience in energy research. With the combination of research & development, educational work, and one of the largest testing laboratories for gas devices in Germany, the institute now wants to contribute to the practical implementation of the energy transition.
The project is being implemented under the umbrella of the Virtual Institute KWK.NRW. In addition to GWI, three professorships from the University of Duisburg-Essen are involved:
- Chair of Energy Process Engineering and Energy Systems
- Chair of Energy Technology
- Chair of Energy Economics
Another partner is the WTZ Roßlau gGmbH. This organization is already researching, among other things, the use of green methanol as a fuel for ships.
