CH2P research project has started work under the leadership of 2G Energy

07.02.2023

Source: Energy & Management Powernews

The CH2P research project has started its work under the leadership of 2G Energy. Decentralized hydrogen CHP plants are to become even more efficient in it.

Already today, 2G Energy AG supplies customers in increasing numbers with purely hydrogen-powered combined heat and power plants (CHP). In total, the portfolio includes according to own information plants with an electrical output of 20 to 4,500 kW. In a recently launched consortium, 2G is working as part of a research project, on the "next generation of combined heat and power (CHP) plants" to provide electricity and heat from hydrogen even more efficiently and cost-effectively.

The project "Technology solutions for highly efficient zero-emission H2 engines for CHP applications" (CH2P) is supported by the federal government through the 7th Energy Research Program with around 2.36 million euros. CHP plants already enable both high-efficiency heat generation for industrial consumers and heat grids, and stabilization of the power grid by covering residual load as a counterpart and partner to volatile renewable feed-in plants. According to 2G, these services can be provided in an emission-free and climate-neutral manner through the use of hydrogen-powered CHP plants. 2G's already installed hydrogen CHP units form the research basis of the project.

The project aims to further increase the power density of the units so that efficiency can increase and costs can be reduced. For Frank Grewe, CTO of 2G Energy, the project is a seamless continuation of the company's development work over the past decade: "The highly efficient use of green gases has always been the focus of our corporate philosophy, which is already reflected in many hydrogen projects around the world, among other things. Through the joint project with representatives from industry and science, we want to sustainably manifest and expand our technological leadership in hydrogen CHP."

Five focal points targeted

The joint project sets five main areas of work: In three of them, the partners want to develop technology solutions that enable an increase in this specific performance. For this purpose, hardware modifications are to be carried out on the engine, for one thing. According to 2G, the partners are also working on the development of a smart ignition system that is designed for pure hydrogen operation and thus leads to higher combustion efficiency. Together with the East Bavarian Technical University of Amberg-Weiden (CHP Competence Center), potentials for improving mixture homogenization and thus in turn combustion efficiency are also to be considered.

Another focus of the work is on the development of new types of piston rings for combustion engines. Here, the German Aerospace Center (Institute of Structures and Structural Technology) and CVT GmbH & Co. KG, a manufacturer of special ceramics, are collaborating with piston manufacturer KS Large Bore Pistons Germany GmbH. At the end of the project, the first prototypes are to be tested in a fired engine.

In the final focus of the work, a system is being developed to eliminate NOx, the only air pollutant that occurs in exhaust gas, using a new type of SCR catalyst. This works with the reducing agent H2 instead of urea. The partner University of Leipzig and the Jülich Research Center are to find suitable materials and processing methods for this. Together with the powder manufacturer "IBU-tec advanced materials AG" and the catalyst manufacturer Interkat Catalyst GmbH, they then want to produce prototypes that can finally be tested on the engine test bench.

Author: Davina Spohn