The company 2G Énergie offers cogeneration engines running on hydrogen which enable decentralized and carbon-free electricity production. A solution to optimize the management of intermittent renewable energy production.
The growing development of renewable energies such as photovoltaics and wind turbines requires reviewing our energy management. Indeed, the volatility of these new energies in combination with the planned reduction of conventional power plants poses problems in terms of overloading or underloading the electrical network depending on the level of sunshine or the intensity of the wind. To deal with this increasingly important phenomenon, we need technologies that can compensate for network fluctuations with a relatively short response time. Producing hydrogen when power grids are overloaded using an electrolysis system can be a way to smooth out peaks in the grid.
Hydrogen cogeneration
In this context, periods of underproduction can be supplemented by cogeneration plants which use stored hydrogen and transform it into electrical energy, without CO emissions.2. It is possible to connect several cogenerators together in a given geographical area so that they form a virtual power plant controlled according to network demand. The engine manufacturer 2G Energy has been developing a 100% hydrogen cogeneration solution for 10 years. With a range of products ranging from 115 kWel to 360 kWel, the German company 2G, whose French subsidiary is located in Sainte-Luce-sur-Loire, near Nantes (www.2‑g.com), responds today to tomorrow’s challenges such as the decentralization of electricity production as well as support for the electricity network. This company has to date carried out several “hydrogen” projects in collaboration with its partners in the public and private sector. For example, hydrogen-powered cogeneration is being developed at Berlin Airport. This project, H2Ber, carried out in collaboration with McPhy, Total and Linde, involves a supply of hydrogen produced by hydrolysis using renewable energies, then transported by pipeline to the airport. The 2G generator transforms hydrogen and supplies electricity as well as part of the airport’s hot water needs with an overall efficiency of 82%.
Coup double
2G engines are not only developed for 100% hydrogen use. They can also be used for multi-gas projects with variable hydrogen rates. Natural gas and hydrogen mixtures are possible. As a result, it is also possible to modernize existing 2G installations running on natural gas or biogas, which opens up development prospects for methanization units located throughout the territory. As its managing director, Jürgen Klein, says: “Buy a 2G natural gas engine today, run on hydrogen tomorrow!” “.
