Eon puts fully automated CHP plant into operation

01.07.2025

Source: E & M powernews

The energy group Eon has commissioned a "fully automated, large-scale CHP plant" at MM Neuss, a company in the paper industry.

The CHP plant is fully automated and at the same time operated in a market-oriented manner: Eon has commissioned a large-scale CHP plant at MM Neuss, a company in the Mayr-Melnhof Karton Group. According to Eon, this is the first CHP plant of this size to be "fully controlled via an intelligent control solution", as the Group stated in its announcement on July 1.

At the Neuss site, the MM Neuss cartonboard mill will be flexibly supplied with electricity and heat in future. According to Eon, the key unique selling point of the new plant is the high degree of automation, made possible by the "Eon IQ Energy" energy solution. The integrated control system networks the power plant, production processes and grid connection in real time and reacts dynamically to changes in market prices, production or technical conditions. According to the supplier, the fully digitalized control system also allows unattended operation for up to 72 hours.

The combined heat and power (CHP) gas and steam turbine plant achieves an electrical output of 22 MW and a thermal output of 59 MW. This should save up to 22,000 tons of CO2 per year compared to conventional generation. In addition to the main plant, a new reserve boiler system was installed, which also operates unmanned and controlled by technical and market-related parameters, according to Eon.

Construction of the plant began in September 2022 and was completed in December 2024. Eon will take over operation. The power plant was already designed for hydrogen compatibility during construction. A hydrogen content of ten percent can already be used in the fuel mixture today. In the future, the plant can be converted to run on up to 100 percent hydrogen, according to the company.

Author: Heidi Roider