The Energy Republic February - March Edition 2023

Fraunhofer Ins tutes researchers
are developing a two-step process
f o r e x t r a c n g h i g h - p u r i t y
hydrogen from biogenic residues such as
sewage sludge, according to report
published in Fraunhofer magazine. How
can we produce pure, climate-neutral
hydrogen for opera ng fuel cells without
relying on solar or wind energy?
According to researchers from the
Fraunhofer Ins tutes for Surface
Engineering and Thin Films IST and for
Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology
UMSICHT, the answer is bio-waste.
In the first step, the researchers use a thermochemical
conversion process to generate a
hydrogen-rich synthesis gas from the organic
waste material.
Then, in the second step, they plan to isolate
the high-purity hydrogen using membranes
with metallic coa ngs.
INDUSTRY NEWS
Fraunhofer Researchers Develop New Method to
Extract Hydrogen from Waste
Decentralized produc on of high-purity
hydrogen is a key component of Germany’s
Na onal Hydrogen Strategy, which aims to
reposi on the country as a climate-friendly
industry hot spot.
This innova ve process could trigger a significant
increase in the amount of green hydrogen
produced in Germany while simultaneously
reducing the risk of dependencies and protec ng
security of supply.
Equinor Discovers Oil, Gas Near the Troll eld in North Sea
Equinor has again struck oil and gas
near the Troll field in the North
Sea. This is Equinor's eighth
discovery in the area since 2019. The
volumes are es mated at between 24 and
84 million barrels of oil equivalent, with
slightly more oil than gas. Named
Heisenberg, the discovery well was
drilled by the Deepsea Stavanger drilling
rig. Equinor is the operator, and DNO is a
partner.
The discovery is considered commercially
interes ng, partly because it can u lise
exis ng infrastructure connected to the
Troll B pla orm.
However, an appraisal well is needed to get a
more precise es mate of the size before it can
be concluded whether the volumes can be
recovered. The par es are considering drilling
the appraisal well in 2024.
"Our Troll explora on play keeps delivering.
With discoveries in eight out of nine
explora on wells, we are approaching a
success rate of 90%. We plan to further explore
t h e a re a , w h i l e l o o k i n g at p o s s i b l e
development solu ons for the discoveries that
h a v e b e e n m a d e . We h a v e a g o o d
infrastructure in the area and can quickly bring
compe ve barrels from here to the market at
low cost and with low CO2 emissions," says Geir
Sørtveit, Equinor’s senior vice president for
explora on and produc on west.
Five of the eight discoveries have been made in
licences awarded through APA rounds. It is just
over a month since Equinor together with
partners made the Røver South discovery in the
same area. Through acquisi ons two weeks ago,
Equinor increased its ownership interests in four
of the discoveries made in the area.
The seven previous discoveries are: Echino South,
Swisher, Røver North, Blasto, Toppand, Kveikje
and Røver South.
bp pulse and APCOA to build EV charging networks across Europe
bp pulse, one of the leading rapid
and ultra-fast public EV charging
networks in the UK and APCOA
Parking Group, the UK’s leading provider
of tailored parking solu ons with an
established presence in Europe, have
signed a strategic pan-European frame
agreement to open more than 100 EV fast
charging hubs across Europe.
Under the agreement, bp pulse plans to
install ultra-fast charging at APCOA car
parks – ‘Urban Hubs’ – in Germany,
Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, The
Netherlands, Poland and the UK over the
next three years to help expand its
charging network in city centres and
further accelerate urban e-mobility
infrastructure throughout Europe.
The project is part of APCOA’s plans to
transform its car parks into Urban Hubs,
which will provide physical and digital
infrastructure for mobility, logis cs, e-charging
and technology based services.
The two companies aim to work together to
provide a convenient customer journey
through digital integra on of the bp pulse and
‘APCOA Connect’ app in the UK and ‘APCOA
Flow’ app in Europe. Registered users will be
able to locate, access, book and pay for their
charging and parking at the car park from their
mobile, and the car park’s entry and exit
barriers will open automa cally as the vehicle
approaches.
“By working with APCOA, we’re bringing the
future of parking, charging and services for
urban life in one place,” says Stefan von
Dobschuetz, general manager Europe, bp
pulse
Stefan von Dobschuetz, general manager
Europe, bp pulse, said: “This agreement will
help us to build our EV charging network across
Europe by offering customers the fastest and
most convenient EV hub charging experience. By
working with APCOA, we’re bringing the future of
parking, charging and services for urban life in
one place.”
Philippe Op de Beeck, CEO, APCOA, said:
“Working with bp pulse is another step to achieve
our plan to deploy 1,000 fast-charging sta ons
through commercial partners in APCOA’s car
parks. Doing so, we are providing customers
added services in our loca ons and make a
relevant contribu on to the transforma on of
individual mobility.”
Two Urban Hubs in Berlin and Bremen in
Germany are expected to open in the third
quarter of 2023. These will be the first loca ons
to offer ultra-fast charging which can charge a
minimum of six cars, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
and will be operated by Aral pulse, bp’s German
brand. bp pulse and APCOA’s Urban Hubs will
also offer one solu on in well-lit city-centre
parking where available land is o en scarce.
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