GET – GREEN EFFICIENT TECHNOLOGIES EN 2/25
“GET – GREEN EFFICIENT TECHNOLOGIES” is the new independent media platform for energy supply, efficiency improvement and alternative energy sources and storage. There is still a high potential to save energy in industry. Efficiency is not only important for the profitability of a company, it is also target-oriented and saves resources. The importance of efficiency, especially in energy production, the role played by hydrogen, industrial processes, resource and recycling management, how energy can be stored and much more can be found in the new GET. “GET – GREEN EFFICIENT TECHNOLOGIES” is a publication of the of PuK. The trade medium will be published in 2023 in German as a print and digital edition on 25 May and 7 November and in English only as a digital edition on 5 July and 29 November.
“GET – GREEN EFFICIENT TECHNOLOGIES” is the new independent media platform for energy supply, efficiency improvement and alternative energy sources and storage.
There is still a high potential to save energy in industry. Efficiency is not only important for the profitability of a company, it is also target-oriented and saves resources.
The importance of efficiency, especially in energy production, the role played by hydrogen, industrial processes, resource and recycling management, how energy can be stored and much more can be found in the new GET.
“GET – GREEN EFFICIENT TECHNOLOGIES” is a publication of the of PuK. The trade medium will be published in 2023 in German as a print and digital edition on 25 May and 7 November and in English only as a digital edition on 5 July and 29 November.
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<strong>GRE<strong>EN</strong></strong> <strong>EFFICI<strong>EN</strong>T</strong> <strong>TECHNOLOGIES</strong><br />
<strong>EN</strong> 2/<strong>25</strong><br />
Hydrogen and Process Technology<br />
Energy and Heat Network<br />
Energy Storage Solutions<br />
Circular Economy Ressources Logistics<br />
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<strong>GET</strong> <strong>–</strong> <strong>GRE<strong>EN</strong></strong> <strong>EFFICI<strong>EN</strong>T</strong> <strong>TECHNOLOGIES</strong> a publication of PuK
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Editorial<br />
Energy in transition: progress despite obstacles<br />
Hydrogen Technology World Expo 20<strong>25</strong> in Hamburg once again demonstrated the potential of hydrogen technologies<br />
<strong>–</strong> but also how much the industry continues to struggle with structural and political barriers. Numerous exhibitors<br />
presented impressive developments, such as scalable electrolysis systems and more efficient power conversion<br />
concepts. However, many discussions revealed a central concern: bureaucratic requirements and lengthy approval processes<br />
are noticeably slowing down implementation. Even where technologies are ready for the market, there is often a<br />
lack of predictable planning conditions, reliable funding structures and fast decision-making processes.<br />
The issue of financial viability was also a key topic. Despite progress, the costs of electrolysers, transport infrastructure<br />
and hydrogen storage remain high. Several exhibitors emphasised that business models are only viable if subsidy programmes<br />
are made permanent, grid fees are clearly regulated and purchase guarantees are created. The Expo thus<br />
made it clear that although 20<strong>25</strong> marks a phase of technological maturity, without political determination, scaling will<br />
stall.<br />
At the same time, the biogas industry in Europe is at a critical turning point. On the one hand, demand for renewable<br />
gases and awareness of the advantages of regional circular economies are on the rise. On the other hand, the industry<br />
is facing increasing requirements <strong>–</strong> from stricter emission standards and complex sustainability certifications to volatile<br />
subsidy mechanisms. Many operators are struggling with investment uncertainty, especially when it comes to converting<br />
and expanding their plants. Profitability remains fragile as rising capital costs, uncertain gas prices and pressure for<br />
additional decarbonisation interact closely.<br />
In addition, biogas is regulated very differently across Europe, which makes market integration difficult. While biomethane<br />
is promoted as a key technology in some countries, it is met with political reluctance in others. This fragmentation<br />
hinders scaling and has a direct impact on investment decisions.<br />
The Biogas Convention 20<strong>25</strong> in Nuremberg, which will take place from 2 to 4 December 20<strong>25</strong>, will therefore focus not<br />
only on technical progress, but above all on the need for action: How can approval procedures be accelerated? How can<br />
remuneration and subsidy models be stabilised? And how can a harmonised European market for renewable gases be<br />
created? At the same time, innovative solutions in the areas of fermentation optimisation, gas processing and digitalisation<br />
should demonstrate that the technical potential is there <strong>–</strong> provided that the regulatory framework grows with it.<br />
Whether hydrogen or biogas: the renewable energy world faces a double challenge. Technologies are developing<br />
rapidly, but political uncertainties, bureaucracy and financial risks are jeopardising the necessary speed.<br />
I wish you an interesting read!<br />
Silke Watkins<br />
<strong>GRE<strong>EN</strong></strong> <strong>EFFICI<strong>EN</strong>T</strong> <strong>TECHNOLOGIES</strong> 20<strong>25</strong><br />
3
<strong>GRE<strong>EN</strong></strong> <strong>EFFICI<strong>EN</strong>T</strong> <strong>TECHNOLOGIES</strong><br />
Contents<br />
Cover<br />
Redefining wastewater sludge transport<br />
Powering performance, efficiency and sustainability worldwide<br />
Across the globe, wastewater utili ties face a common challenge: how<br />
to transport thick, dewatered sludge reliably, economically, and sustainably.<br />
Traditional systems such as piston pumps and screw conveyors<br />
have long been the standard, but they come with high energy<br />
demands, costly main tenance, and operational complexity. In an era<br />
defined by sustainability goals and tightening budgets, water utili ties<br />
are searching for smarter alternatives.<br />
Contents<br />
Editorial<br />
Energy in transition: progress despite obstacles 3<br />
Cover story<br />
Redefining wastewater sludge transport 5<br />
Efficient handling of energy gases<br />
Heat recovery from the storage tank 9<br />
Driving forces in biogas operations 12<br />
CO 2 Liquefaction <strong>–</strong> Sustainability through modern gas technology 15<br />
Wire mesh as a key to cost reduction in hydrogen production 17<br />
The safe way to transport hydrogen <strong>–</strong> with the MEGC container 20<br />
Energy recovery<br />
Up and away with Bergzeit 22<br />
Energy-efficient heating<br />
Green district heating for Giessen <strong>25</strong><br />
Energy-efficient production<br />
On the way to becoming energy self-sufficient 29<br />
Companies <strong>–</strong> Innovations <strong>–</strong> Products 33<br />
Brand name register 38<br />
Index of Advertisers 38<br />
Impressum<br />
Publisher<br />
Dr. Harnisch Verlags GmbH<br />
©<br />
20<strong>25</strong>, Dr. Harnisch Verlags GmbH<br />
Responsible for content<br />
Ottmar Holz<br />
Silke Watkins<br />
Publishing company and reader service<br />
Dr. Harnisch Verlags GmbH<br />
Eschenstr. <strong>25</strong><br />
90441 Nuremberg, Germany<br />
Tel 0911 2018-0<br />
Fax 0911 2018-100<br />
E-Mail get@harnisch.com<br />
www.harnisch.com<br />
Errors excepted<br />
Reprinting and photomechanical reproduction,even<br />
in extract form, is only possible with<br />
the written consent of the publishers<br />
Editors<br />
Silke Watkins<br />
Advertisements/Brand name register<br />
Silke Watkins/Matti Schneider<br />
Technical Director<br />
Armin König<br />
ISSN 2752-2040<br />
4<br />
<strong>GRE<strong>EN</strong></strong> <strong>EFFICI<strong>EN</strong>T</strong> <strong>TECHNOLOGIES</strong> 20<strong>25</strong>
Cover story<br />
SEEPEX Smart Air Injection <strong>–</strong><br />
Redefining wastewater sludge transport<br />
Powering performance, efficiency and sustainability worldwide<br />
Hetlingen WWTP, northwest of Hamburg, Germany, seen from above, right next to the famous Elbe River.<br />
Image: SEEPEX<br />
Across the globe, wastewater utilities<br />
face a common challenge: how<br />
to transport thick, dewatered sludge<br />
reliably, economically, and sustainably.<br />
Traditional systems such<br />
as piston pumps and screw conveyors<br />
have long been the standard,<br />
but they come with high energy<br />
demands, costly main tenance, and<br />
operational complexity. In an era<br />
defined by sustainability goals and<br />
tightening budgets, water utilities<br />
are searching for smarter<br />
alternatives.<br />
SEEPEX, a global leader in progressive<br />
cavity pump systems and digital<br />
solutions, has positioned itself<br />
at the forefront of this transformation<br />
with its Smart Air Injection (SAI)<br />
techno logy. By combining progressive<br />
cavity pumping with densephase<br />
pneumatic conveying, SAI has<br />
proven to reduce energy consumption,<br />
lower maintenance costs, and<br />
streamline sludge handling over<br />
long distances and challenging pipe<br />
routing. Around the world, pioneering<br />
water utilities have adopted this<br />
approach and achieved measurable,<br />
lasting results.<br />
Fig. 1: SAI system loaded from mobile centrifuge<br />
with dewatered sludge. Image: SEEPEX<br />
The challenge of<br />
conventional transport<br />
Wastewater treatment plants<br />
(WWTPs) generate vast amounts<br />
of sludge that must be stabilized<br />
and dewatered. This is followed by<br />
targeted processing, such as drying<br />
and thermal utilization, with the<br />
goal of recovering energy and making<br />
valuable components usable. Conventional<br />
transport systems often<br />
rely on piston pumps operating at<br />
high pressure, requiring heavy-duty<br />
pipelines and subjecting equipment<br />
to accelerated wear. Mechanical conveyors<br />
often involve multiple steps,<br />
take up valuable space, and expose<br />
operators to rain-induced rehydration,<br />
odor and safety risks.<br />
The drawbacks are clear: high<br />
operating costs, frequent downtime,<br />
and environmental burdens that run<br />
counter to the water utilities’ sustainability<br />
objectives. The need for more<br />
energy-efficient, low-maintenance,<br />
and environmentally friendly technology<br />
is pressing.<br />
<strong>GRE<strong>EN</strong></strong> <strong>EFFICI<strong>EN</strong>T</strong> <strong>TECHNOLOGIES</strong> 20<strong>25</strong> 5
Cover story<br />
The SEEPEX solution<br />
SEEPEX’s Smart Air Injection system<br />
delivers exactly that. By forming<br />
sludge into plugs, coating<br />
them with a thin polymer film,<br />
and propelling them forward with<br />
low-pressure compressed air, the<br />
system minimizes friction and significantly<br />
reduces pipeline pressure<br />
requirements.<br />
Compared to piston pumps that<br />
may run at up to 70 bar, SAI systems<br />
typically operate at only 2<strong>–</strong>3 bar. This<br />
reduces energy demand by up to<br />
80 % and extends the service life of<br />
pump components.<br />
Another critical advantage is simplified<br />
maintenance. With innovations<br />
such as the Rotor Joint Access<br />
system, operators can perform quick<br />
interventions without dismantling the<br />
pump, reducing maintenance costs<br />
by up to 88%. The pump system’s<br />
modular design allows for easy integration<br />
into existing infrastructure,<br />
whether for temporary projects or<br />
permanent installations.<br />
How SAI works in practice<br />
The principle behind SAI is simple<br />
yet highly effective. First, sludge is<br />
fed into an open hopper progressive<br />
cavity pump, which forms the material<br />
into dense plugs. These plugs<br />
are then coated with a thin layer of<br />
polymer lubricant at only approx.<br />
0.1 % dilution. Importantly, SAI uses<br />
this lubricant in extremely small<br />
quantities — just approx. 2 % of the<br />
overall sludge flow — making the<br />
chemical input negligible while significantly<br />
reducing friction inside the<br />
pipeline. Once lubricated, the plugs<br />
are propelled forward by controlled<br />
bursts of compressed air. Instead of<br />
continuous high-pressure pumping,<br />
sludge moves in short, efficient segments,<br />
reducing wear and cutting<br />
energy consumption.<br />
A complete SAI system typically<br />
consists of four main components:<br />
an open hopper pump to feed and<br />
compact the sludge, a dosing pump<br />
to supply the lubricant, a compressor<br />
with an air receiver vessel to<br />
generate the required low-pressure<br />
Fig. 2: SAI control unit and air receiver vessel.<br />
airflow, and the SAI controller. The<br />
controller is the “brain” of the system,<br />
managing air injection timing,<br />
lubricant dosing, and pipeline pressure.<br />
Advanced automation and<br />
monitoring features give operators<br />
real-time data and precise control,<br />
ensuring stable performance under<br />
changing conditions.<br />
Compared to piston pumps,<br />
which require up to 70 bar of<br />
operating pressure and wear rapidly<br />
under abrasive sludge conditions,<br />
SAI works at just 2<strong>–</strong>3 bar. This makes<br />
it possible to use lighter PN10 pipelines<br />
instead of expensive heavy-duty<br />
PN40<strong>–</strong>PN100 pipes, reducing both<br />
capital and operating costs. In contrast<br />
to bulky screw or belt conveyors<br />
that consume floor space, demand<br />
constant maintenance, and leave<br />
sludge exposed to the open air, SAI<br />
is compact, enclosed, and odor-free.<br />
The result is a system that not<br />
only reduces pressure but also<br />
reduces stress — on equipment,<br />
operators, and budgets. With lower<br />
wear, fewer spare parts, and optimized<br />
energy input, SAI makes<br />
dewatered sludge transport more<br />
predictable, more sustainable, and<br />
far more cost efficient.<br />
Image: SEEPEX<br />
Success stories from<br />
around the world<br />
Eco-Energy Plant, China<br />
When an ambitious eco-energy<br />
facility was launched to convert<br />
370,000 tons of municipal solid waste<br />
into 200 million kWh of electricity<br />
annually, sludge transport became<br />
a critical bottleneck. The layout<br />
required moving material 370 meters<br />
horizontally and 30 meters vertically.<br />
Traditional conveyors and trucks<br />
proved labor-intensive and costly,<br />
while dry sludge pumps suffered<br />
from wear due to excessive pressure.<br />
The installation of SEEPEX SAI<br />
transformed operations. The plant<br />
achieved smooth, trouble-free transport<br />
without replacing a single wear<br />
part. The results included up to 80%<br />
lower electricity consumption and<br />
major reductions in truck transport<br />
and labor costs, all within a compact<br />
footprint that fit the plant’s spatial<br />
limitations.<br />
Sydney Water WRRF, Australia<br />
Sydney Water, Australia’s largest<br />
water utility, needed a temporary<br />
solution to maintain operations<br />
during facility upgrades at its West<br />
6<br />
<strong>GRE<strong>EN</strong></strong> <strong>EFFICI<strong>EN</strong>T</strong> <strong>TECHNOLOGIES</strong> 20<strong>25</strong>
Cover story<br />
Camden plant. Conventional screw<br />
conveyors required extensive infrastructure<br />
and created odor challenges.<br />
SEEPEX’s mobile SAI system<br />
provided a compact, enclosed, and<br />
energy-efficient alternative.<br />
Performance tests confirmed that<br />
SAI maintained biosolids consistency,<br />
minimized odors, and streamlined<br />
transport. As Principal Engineer Mark<br />
Ziogas noted, “Implementing SEEPEX<br />
Smart Air Injection at West Camden<br />
WRRF has been a transformative step<br />
in biosolids management. This innovative<br />
technology not only enhances<br />
efficiency and reduces costs but also<br />
significantly improves safety and<br />
environmental outcomes.” The success<br />
of the temporary application<br />
has spurred Sydney Water to explore<br />
permanent deployments across its<br />
network.<br />
Hetlingen WWTP, Germany<br />
Serving more than 40 municipalities<br />
north-west of Hamburg, Hetlingen<br />
WWTP needed to replace undersized<br />
piston pumps that consumed excessive<br />
energy and required frequent<br />
maintenance. The challenge was to<br />
transport 5<strong>–</strong>15 m³/h of dewatered<br />
sludge over 90 meters, including a<br />
30-meter vertical rise.<br />
SEEPEX supplied a turnkey SAI<br />
solution, including a hopper pump,<br />
a compressed air system, a dosing<br />
pump, and automation control. By<br />
operating at just 2<strong>–</strong>3 bar instead of<br />
70 bar, Hetlingen reduced pipeline<br />
requirements and cut energy use by<br />
Fig. 3: Boundary layer and air injection ports.<br />
20<strong>–</strong><strong>25</strong>%. Maintenance was simplified<br />
with easy access to key components,<br />
reducing downtime. The plant now<br />
enjoys smoother operations with a<br />
lower carbon footprint.<br />
Sehnde WWTP, Germany<br />
In Sehnde, near Hanover, sludge was<br />
previously transported using a piston<br />
pump that required high energy input<br />
and costly maintenance. The goal was<br />
to reduce energy use, lower operating<br />
costs, and ensure compliance<br />
with new environmental regulations.<br />
SEEPEX installed an SAI system<br />
capable of moving sludge <strong>25</strong>0 meters<br />
through an existing buried steel pipeline.<br />
Within the first year, energy<br />
Image: SEEPEX<br />
costs were reduced by more than<br />
50 %, while maintenance costs fell by<br />
88 %. Operating pressures dropped<br />
from 60<strong>–</strong>80 bar to just 3 bar. Overall,<br />
annual operating costs were reduced<br />
by up to 82%, saving around € 37,500<br />
per year. This success demonstrated<br />
the scalability and sustainability of<br />
SAI as a future-proof solution.<br />
Clear, Measurable Benefits<br />
Across these diverse projects, several<br />
recurring benefits stand out:<br />
• Energy Efficiency: Up to 80 %<br />
reduction in energy consumption<br />
compared to piston pumps.<br />
Fig. 4: Smart Air Injection system featuring an open hopper pump, boundary layer injection, and control unit for optimized biosolids transport.<br />
<br />
Image: SEEPEX<br />
<strong>GRE<strong>EN</strong></strong> <strong>EFFICI<strong>EN</strong>T</strong> <strong>TECHNOLOGIES</strong> 20<strong>25</strong> 7
Cover story<br />
Fig. 5: SAI including compressed air connections and lubricant injection points.<br />
Image: SEEPEX<br />
• Maintenance Savings: Up to 88 %<br />
lower maintenance costs thanks to<br />
low-pressure operation and simplified<br />
pump access.<br />
• Reliable Long-Distance Transport:<br />
Confident handling of dewatered<br />
sludges up to 1 km and vertical<br />
lifts.<br />
• Compact and Flexible: Modular<br />
design suitable for both temporary<br />
and permanent installations,<br />
requiring less footprint.<br />
• Environmental Protection:<br />
Enclosed pipelines reduce odors<br />
and emissions, supporting workplace<br />
safety and sustainability<br />
goals.<br />
A global standard for the future<br />
From China to Australia to Germany,<br />
Smart Air Injection has consistently<br />
proven itself as the future of<br />
sludge transport. By addressing the<br />
inefficiencies of conventional systems<br />
and delivering measurable<br />
gains in energy savings, cost reduction,<br />
and sustainability, SEEPEX has<br />
set a new benchmark for the wastewater<br />
sector.<br />
In a time when utilities are under<br />
pressure to meet growing demand,<br />
reduce carbon emissions, and optimize<br />
limited resources, SAI provides a<br />
pathway to achieve these goals. With<br />
more than 100 installations worldwide<br />
and counting, the system has<br />
already established itself as a trusted<br />
solution across multiple contexts.<br />
As the megatrend of sustainability<br />
reshapes industries, the message is<br />
clear: Smart Air Injection is not just<br />
an incremental improvement — it is a<br />
step change. By combining engineering<br />
excellence with real-world results,<br />
SEEPEX is enabling wastewater utilities<br />
to embrace a cleaner, more efficient,<br />
and future-ready approach to<br />
sludge handling.<br />
SEEPEX GmbH<br />
Bottrop<br />
www.seepex.com<br />
8<br />
<strong>GRE<strong>EN</strong></strong> <strong>EFFICI<strong>EN</strong>T</strong> <strong>TECHNOLOGIES</strong> 20<strong>25</strong>
Efficient handling of energy gases<br />
Heat recovery from the storage tank<br />
Dr. Michael Golek<br />
GEA has invested twelve million euros in the British company Caldera. The photo shows the Caldera factory.<br />
Image: Caldera<br />
Industrial heat pumps are crucial<br />
for the decarbonization of industrial<br />
heat demand between 100 and<br />
200 °C in industries such as food<br />
production, dairy production, breweries,<br />
distilleries and the pharmaceutical<br />
sector. In a holistic concept,<br />
smart thermal storage can be combined<br />
with heat pump technolo gy to<br />
offer industrial customers a competitive<br />
and reliable option for all-electric<br />
and therefore low-carbon<br />
process heat supply. The machine<br />
and plant manufacturer and solution<br />
provider GEA has therefore<br />
invested in the British company<br />
Caldera, which has developed intelligent<br />
thermal storage systems.<br />
The thermal store as a<br />
digital grid juggler<br />
The energy transition is much more<br />
than just the construction of new<br />
wind turbines and solar plants. It is<br />
a gigantic digital and logistical challenge<br />
that is forcing us to rethink our<br />
energy system from the ground up.<br />
We are looking for intelligent solutions<br />
that can tame the fluctuations<br />
of renewable energies and keep the<br />
grid stable. And sometimes the brilliant<br />
idea comes from a direction that<br />
is not immediately on the radar: from<br />
Fig. 1: Caldera has developed electric storage<br />
boilers that can store electricity in the form<br />
of heat, which can be retrieved when needed.<br />
<br />
Image: Caldera<br />
good old heat. We know the scenario:<br />
on a stormy day, the wind turbines<br />
are turning at full speed, the sun is<br />
shining on the photovoltaic systems<br />
and suddenly there is too much electricity<br />
in the grid. Prices fall, sometimes<br />
even into negative territory.<br />
In the worst-case scenario, the wind<br />
turbines have to be throttled back to<br />
avoid overloading the grid.<br />
Load shifting, peak shaving and<br />
grid benefits<br />
This is where Caldera’s intelligent<br />
thermal energy storage systems<br />
come into play. With the “Storage<br />
Boilers”, Caldera has developed a<br />
technology that converts electricity <strong>–</strong><br />
ideally from renewable sources such<br />
as solar and wind <strong>–</strong> highly efficiently<br />
into industrially usable process heat.<br />
The key feature: a special storage<br />
core made of volcanic rock and recycled<br />
aluminum is heated up to 500 °C<br />
using electricity. Specially developed<br />
vacuum insulation ensures that this<br />
heat can be conserved for days or<br />
even weeks to supply steam, hot<br />
<strong>GRE<strong>EN</strong></strong> <strong>EFFICI<strong>EN</strong>T</strong> <strong>TECHNOLOGIES</strong> 20<strong>25</strong><br />
9
Efficient handling of energy gases<br />
technical and economic influencing<br />
factors.<br />
On the technical side:<br />
When it comes to thermal storage,<br />
there are two physical properties that<br />
are of particular interest. Firstly, there<br />
is the heat storage capacity, i.e. the<br />
amount of energy that can be stored<br />
per volume or mass. This is very good<br />
for both materials. The thermal conductivity<br />
is also important. It ensures<br />
rapid absorption but also release of<br />
heat and therefore optimum energy<br />
throughput of the storage unit. Aluminum<br />
stands out here and the<br />
casting process creates a close connection<br />
to the lava rock and thus a<br />
very good heat transfer.<br />
Fig. 2: Heat is generated inside the boiler: The heat cell is the innovative component in every<br />
Caldera storage boiler that enables intermittent renewable energy to be converted into heat<br />
on demand. The blocks made from Caldera’s patented heat storage material are quickly<br />
assembled on site and enclosed in a vacuum-insulated chamber.<br />
Image: Caldera<br />
water or hot air for industrial processes<br />
as required. This shifts large<br />
energy packages <strong>–</strong> from the electri-<br />
city grid <strong>–</strong> into a heating network. This<br />
relieves the electricity grid in times<br />
of high feed-in from renew able energies<br />
and avoids overloads or curtailment<br />
of renewable plants. At the<br />
same time, the electricity is used<br />
when it is available in abundance,<br />
which increases the efficiency of the<br />
overall system. It helps to smooth the<br />
load curve and reduces the need to<br />
switch on expensive peak-load power<br />
plants.<br />
The combination of lava rock<br />
and aluminium scrap is the result of<br />
an optimization task between both<br />
On the economic side:<br />
Although there are materials that<br />
show better properties in terms of<br />
storage capacity and conductivity,<br />
the purchasing costs for lava rock<br />
and aluminum scrap are compelling.<br />
You could buy lava rock in virtually<br />
any DIY store. The price of aluminum<br />
scrap benefits indirectly from<br />
the increasing population of electric<br />
cars. The supply of aluminum scrap<br />
from engine blocks from combustion<br />
engines is increasing, which means<br />
that the price will continue to fall in<br />
the long term. Furthermore, there<br />
are no shortages of either material<br />
on the international markets and<br />
they are non-toxic. Insulation is provided<br />
by a double-walled vacuum bell<br />
housing and the overall efficiency is<br />
around 95 percent.<br />
Provision of flexibility and<br />
balancing energy<br />
Fig. 3: Decarbonization of industrial process heat: GEA heat pumps and Caldera storage<br />
boilers complement each other.<br />
Graphic: Caldera<br />
The storage system’s rapid adaptability<br />
makes it a valuable player<br />
on the balancing energy market.<br />
By converting electrical energy<br />
into thermal energy and storing it<br />
locally or close to consumption, the<br />
Caldera storage system decouples<br />
the demand for electricity from the<br />
demand for heat at certain times.<br />
This reduces the need for transport<br />
capacities in the electricity grid for<br />
heat generation and creates free<br />
capacities for further feed-in from<br />
renewable energies.<br />
10 <strong>GRE<strong>EN</strong></strong> <strong>EFFICI<strong>EN</strong>T</strong> <strong>TECHNOLOGIES</strong> 20<strong>25</strong>
Efficient handling of energy gases<br />
In addition, the storage system is<br />
connected to the spot markets via an<br />
intelligent energy management system.<br />
When prices on the electricity<br />
markets fall due to high wind or solar<br />
production, sometimes even into<br />
negative territory, the storage system<br />
fills up <strong>–</strong> sometimes for fractions of<br />
a cent per kilowatt hour, sometimes<br />
with proceeds for purchasing (dayahead<br />
and intraday trading).<br />
The real game changer, however,<br />
is participation in the balancing<br />
energy market. The ability of a<br />
large thermal storage facility to flexibly<br />
absorb electricity in a matter of<br />
seconds is invaluable for stabilizing<br />
the electricity grid. The transmission<br />
system operators pay for this. A company<br />
that offers its storage facility on<br />
the market for automatic frequency<br />
restoration reserve (AFR) generates<br />
additional income that can massively<br />
reduce the effective electricity<br />
procurement costs for heat generation<br />
<strong>–</strong> in some cases even into negative<br />
territory. As a result, the effective<br />
electricity price for the process heat<br />
generated <strong>–</strong> a mix of cheap in-house<br />
electricity, spot market bargains and<br />
revenues from grid stabilization <strong>–</strong> can<br />
be cheaper for industrial and commercial<br />
companies than the price of<br />
gas. This was already the case in 2023<br />
and 2024, when the energy markets<br />
were turbulent. The volatility of the<br />
electricity market, which many see as<br />
a risk, becomes a source of income<br />
here.<br />
The Author:<br />
Dr. Michael Golek<br />
GEA Group AG<br />
Ulmenstraße 99<br />
40476 Düsseldorf, Germany<br />
Tel.: +49 (0)211-9136-0<br />
michael.golek@gea.com<br />
www.gea.com<br />
More information about Caldera:<br />
https://www.caldera.co.uk/<br />
In conversation<br />
Kai Becker<br />
CEO of the GEA Heating and<br />
Cooling Technology Division<br />
“At GEA, we are committed to playing<br />
a leading role in the net-zero<br />
transition of the process industry.<br />
Our industrial heat pumps are already<br />
an important alternative to<br />
fossil fuel boilers and enable the<br />
decarbonization of process heat<br />
up to 95°C. With the investment in<br />
Caldera, we are adding a powerful<br />
complementary solution that<br />
means two things: First, together<br />
we can decarbonize process<br />
heat up to 185°C. Secondly, GEA’s<br />
heat pumps and Caldera’s storage<br />
systems bridge the gap between<br />
variable power generation from<br />
renewables and fluctuating industrial<br />
heat demand. With GEA’s<br />
global presence and expertise in<br />
process and industrial heat, we<br />
can accelerate the adoption of<br />
these combined solutions for industry<br />
worldwide.”<br />
James Macnaghten<br />
CEO of Caldera<br />
“The collaboration with GEA is<br />
a ground-breaking oppor tunity<br />
for our company and a strong<br />
endorse ment of our technology. I<br />
am convinced that the partnership<br />
with GEA, and in particular the use<br />
of GEA’s extensive experience, will<br />
help to deploy our storage boilers<br />
in even more companies such as<br />
breweries, distilleries, the dairy industry<br />
and the food and pharmaceutical<br />
industries, with the aim<br />
of reducing CO 2 emissions for the<br />
benefit of all.”<br />
<strong>GRE<strong>EN</strong></strong> <strong>EFFICI<strong>EN</strong>T</strong> <strong>TECHNOLOGIES</strong> 20<strong>25</strong><br />
11
Efficient handling of energy gases<br />
Driving forces in biogas operations<br />
Blower technology for gas transport and CO 2 liquefaction<br />
Expansion stage of the biomethane plant operated by NordFuel GmbH in Friesoythe, due to be completed by March 20<strong>25</strong>. Almost half of the<br />
construction project has been completed.<br />
Image: Continental Industrie<br />
Friesoythe is home to one of the<br />
most modern biomethane plants<br />
in Europe, where NordFuel GmbH<br />
operates a state-of-the-art biogas<br />
plant that produces valuable biomethane<br />
from one million tons of farm<br />
manure per year. One of the biggest<br />
challenges is loss-free processing,<br />
an area in which high-performance<br />
blowers, such as those manufactured<br />
by Continental Industrie in<br />
Dormagen, play a pivotal role.<br />
Pick-up and delivery service<br />
included<br />
The delivery of farm manure is a<br />
precisely timed process: NordFuel<br />
GmbH trucks collect approximately<br />
80 % solid matter from manure produced<br />
by hoofed animals and poultry,<br />
and around 20 % liquid manure from<br />
livestock farmers in the surrounding<br />
area. Manure is collected from all<br />
Fig. 1 shows the delivery of farm manure from the surrounding area to the substrate hall. The<br />
company's own lorries collect the material from all agricultural businesses, thus ensuring that<br />
the company premises are kept clean.<br />
Image: Continental Industrie<br />
farms with a contract with the company.<br />
After separation, the liquid<br />
portion is returned to ensure pumpability,<br />
which is a resource-saving<br />
process. A fully digitalized incoming<br />
inspection process using QR<br />
codes ensures efficient operations<br />
and comprehensive documentation.<br />
Truck drivers always know which gate<br />
of the huge substrate hall to drive to<br />
in order to unload.<br />
This is divided into sections<br />
so that each type of substrate can<br />
be separated from the others and<br />
stored temporarily for processing<br />
according to the first-in-first-out principle.<br />
Inside the hall, fully automatic<br />
cranes transport the material to the<br />
appropriate bunkers as required.<br />
From there, it is transported to the<br />
individual fermenters via screw conveyors.<br />
“Different types of manure<br />
offer different gas yields, which is a<br />
decisive factor taken into account<br />
from the outset in continuous feeding,”<br />
emphasizes Andrea Schneider,<br />
assistant to the management. “The<br />
entire plant is designed so that<br />
nothing is wasted. Every detail has<br />
been planned so that we can produce<br />
with maximum efficiency.”<br />
12 <strong>GRE<strong>EN</strong></strong> <strong>EFFICI<strong>EN</strong>T</strong> <strong>TECHNOLOGIES</strong> 20<strong>25</strong>
Your Global Partner<br />
for Complex Fluid<br />
Handling<br />
Find the optimum conveying<br />
solution for your application and<br />
select from four pump technologies,<br />
complemented by grinding systems<br />
and accessories.<br />
Fig. 2: Tobias Boeckh, Managing Director of Continental Industrie GmbH, Project Manager Niklas<br />
Hense from revis bioenergy and Jens Steller, Interim Operations Manager of the biogas plant (from<br />
left) next to the two redundant large industrial blowers from Continental Industrie in the biogas processing<br />
plant. These blowers ensure the necessary stability in the downstream cleaning and separation<br />
process. <br />
Image: Continental Industrie<br />
No odor lingers in the air<br />
Another key element is the exhaust air<br />
purification system. First, the contaminated<br />
air is treated with sulphuric acid to<br />
filter out ammonia. It then flows through<br />
a biofilter to minimize any remaining<br />
odors. This process produces an ammonium<br />
sulphate solution (ASL) that can<br />
later be used as fertilizer. Moistened<br />
wood chips in the biofilters break down<br />
odor components, optimizing the cleaning<br />
performance to ensure that the<br />
cleaned, odor-free air escapes through<br />
the exhaust chimney. This protects the<br />
entire site from unpleasant odors.<br />
Movement in gas processing<br />
The raw gas streams from the fermenters<br />
converge at the biogas upgrading<br />
plant. Here, two large Continental Industrie<br />
451 blowers are used to enable processing<br />
into bio methane. With five stages<br />
and powerful 110 kW motors, the blowers<br />
are designed to be energy efficient.<br />
The plant can process up to 7,500 Nm³<br />
of raw gas per hour, and the biogas is<br />
enriched to 99.6 % methane via pressure<br />
swing adsorption.<br />
Using large blowers was a deliberate<br />
choice: “Energy efficiency is our top<br />
priori ty. Smaller blowers would have<br />
required significantly more powerful<br />
motors, leading to significantly higher<br />
energy consumption. This way, we simply<br />
achieve better results with less power,”<br />
explains Jens Steller, interim plant manager.<br />
“We opted for two blowers from<br />
the outset in case one of them fails. We<br />
absolutely cannot afford that. The blowers<br />
must always be running; otherwise,<br />
we risk excessive gas loss via the flare<br />
in the event of a failure.” In the biogas<br />
upgrading area, two additional compact<br />
Continental Industrie blowers of<br />
> 70<br />
YEARS OF<br />
EXPERI<strong>EN</strong>CE<br />
INDIVIDUAL<br />
CONSULTING<br />
5<br />
<strong>TECHNOLOGIES</strong><br />
SERVICE<br />
& SPARE<br />
PARTS<br />
Fig. 3 shows a 6-stage blower from Continental Industrie GmbH that has been specially designed for<br />
CO 2 processing at the Friesoythe site. <br />
Image: Continental Industrie<br />
<strong>GRE<strong>EN</strong></strong> <strong>EFFICI<strong>EN</strong>T</strong> <strong>TECHNOLOGIES</strong> 20<strong>25</strong><br />
<br />
Visit Us:<br />
Biogas Convention,<br />
09.<strong>–</strong>11.12.<strong>25</strong><br />
Nürnberg, Germany<br />
Hall 9, Booth C38<br />
NETZSCH Pumpen & Systeme GmbH<br />
www.pumps-systems.netzsch.com
Efficient handling of energy gases<br />
Fig. 4 shows the redundant recirculation blower from Continental Industrie GmbH, which<br />
extracts the methane-rich residual gas and feeds it back into the inlet of the PSA system.<br />
This prevents methane loss and makes it an efficient component of the system.<br />
<br />
Image: Continental Industrie<br />
type 051A.04 support recirculation.<br />
These blowers ensure that incompletely<br />
purified gas is fed back into<br />
the process, which is an essential<br />
measure for preventing methane slip<br />
and optimizing the process.<br />
A notable feature of the large<br />
plant is the CO 2 processing system.<br />
Rather than allowing carbon dioxide<br />
to escape unused, it is either liquefied<br />
directly on site or processed<br />
into dry ice. For this purpose, a sixstage<br />
Continental Industrie blower of<br />
type 077A1 is used as a pre-booster<br />
blower. It increases the pressure of<br />
the CO 2 from atmospheric level to<br />
1 bar(g), thus optimizing the efficiency<br />
of the downstream compressors.<br />
7/24: Biology works tirelessly<br />
“The plant currently comprises 12<br />
fermenters, four post-fermenters<br />
and four fermentation tanks <strong>–</strong> a total<br />
of 20 containers. In the final expansion<br />
stage, there will be 40 containers<br />
organized in ten rows of three<br />
fermenters, each with one post-fermenter<br />
<strong>–</strong> essentially ten biogas plants<br />
in one,” says project manager Niklas<br />
Hense. Nordfuel already produces<br />
3,500 to 3,700 Nm³ of biomethane<br />
per hour. Once the final expansion<br />
is complete, capacity will double to<br />
7,500 Nm³/h.<br />
“Two 20,000 m³ gas bubbles are<br />
available for buffer storage, guaranteeing<br />
a constant feed into the grid.<br />
An emergency gas flare is only used<br />
in extreme cases,” says Hense. “After<br />
all, production cannot be stopped<br />
because biological processes never<br />
take a break.”<br />
Even the processing of fermentation<br />
residues sets standards: after<br />
biomethane production, a usable end<br />
product remains that can be put to<br />
further use. Whether it is dried, processed<br />
into pellets or used as fertilizer,<br />
NordFuel makes optimum<br />
use of the entire material flow for<br />
all areas of application — a feature<br />
that is already unique in Europe. All<br />
processes comply with the EC Water<br />
Framework Directive and Nitrates<br />
Directive.<br />
A role model for future projects<br />
The 13.5-hectare plant is an example<br />
of an efficient, sustainable and wellthought-out<br />
concept. “We take the<br />
circular economy to its logical conclusion,”<br />
says Andrea Schneider. “Every<br />
component has its place and every<br />
resource is used.”<br />
Niklas Hense views the technology<br />
as a milestone, stating that “the<br />
combination of intelligent logistics,<br />
efficient biogas processing, and the<br />
resource-efficient utilization of fermentation<br />
residues sets new standards<br />
for the industry.”<br />
Continental Industrie’s blowers<br />
were put into operation in 2024. They<br />
play a central role in Nordfuel's stateof-the-art<br />
biogas processing.<br />
Fig. 5: View of the roofs of the fermenters at NordFuel (from left: Niklas Hense and Tobias Boeckh).<br />
<br />
Image: Continental Industrie<br />
Continental Industrie GmbH<br />
Gebläse- & Exhaustorentechnik<br />
Clemens-August-Platz 7<br />
41542 Dormagen, Germany<br />
Tel: +49 (0)2133 <strong>25</strong>98 30<br />
www.continental-industrie.de<br />
14 <strong>GRE<strong>EN</strong></strong> <strong>EFFICI<strong>EN</strong>T</strong> <strong>TECHNOLOGIES</strong> 20<strong>25</strong>
Efficient handling of energy gases<br />
CO 2 Liquefaction <strong>–</strong><br />
Sustainability through modern gas technology<br />
Envithan plant in Priborn featuring a BAUER CNK 420 screw compressor.<br />
<br />
All images: BAUER KOMPRESSOR<strong>EN</strong><br />
As environmental pressures rise<br />
and climate change advances, the<br />
responsible handling of carbon<br />
dioxide (CO 2 ) is becoming increasingly<br />
vital. CO 2 is generated as a<br />
by-product in many industrial processes<br />
and is often released unused<br />
into the atmosphere <strong>–</strong> with damaging<br />
consequences for the climate.<br />
Liquefying CO 2 offers an effective<br />
and sustainable solution: instead of<br />
being released into the air, the gas is<br />
captured, purified, compressed, and<br />
converted into liquid form. While<br />
still liquefied, CO 2 can be stored,<br />
transported, and put to practical<br />
use across multiple industries <strong>–</strong><br />
such as beverage production. Recycling<br />
CO 2 via this approach helps<br />
reduce emissions consider ably and<br />
plays a key role in achieving global<br />
climate targets. Because the CO 2<br />
arises as a by-product of biogas<br />
production, the process delivers a<br />
double sustainability benefit within<br />
biogas generation itself.<br />
The CO 2 liquefaction process begins<br />
with collecting and pre-purifying<br />
Fig. 1: Envithan plant in Priborn in containerised design with BAUER CNK 420 screw compressor<br />
the raw gas, which typically contains<br />
impurities such as moisture,<br />
sulphur compounds, and other<br />
trace gases. The first process stage<br />
involves drying and purifying the<br />
gas to ensure the subsequent plant<br />
equipment will run reliably. It is then<br />
mechani cally compressed using<br />
high-performance screw compressors<br />
<strong>–</strong> such as those produced by<br />
BAUER KOMPRESSOR<strong>EN</strong>. During this<br />
stage, the CO 2 is compressed to high<br />
pressure (typically between 10 and<br />
20 bar), a pre requisite for transforming<br />
it into liquid form. After compression,<br />
the gas is gradually cooled to<br />
temperatures below its boiling point.<br />
In specially designed condensation<br />
systems, the CO 2 is then liquefied<br />
under controlled conditions. The<br />
resulting liquid CO 2 can be stored<br />
in cryogenic tanks and supplied for<br />
industrial use. As well as being highly<br />
efficient, this technological process<br />
also marks a major step towards a<br />
circular economy and sustainable<br />
resource management.<br />
BAUER screw solutions <strong>–</strong> systematic<br />
climate protection<br />
As a premium manufacturer that has<br />
pioneered medium- and high-pressure<br />
gas compression with nearly<br />
80 years of global experience,<br />
BAUER KOMPRESSOR<strong>EN</strong> leverages<br />
tailor-made, turnkey systems from<br />
a single source to provide the cutting-edge<br />
technology required. As an<br />
ISO 14001-certified company committed<br />
to sustainability, nothing is<br />
more important for BAUER than<br />
actively promoting climate protection<br />
and energy-transition goals.<br />
BAUER compressor systems are<br />
typically custom-engineered to suit<br />
the specific application. Their modular<br />
design allows for quick, straightforward<br />
installation and seamless<br />
integration into existing infrastructure.<br />
Depending on requirements,<br />
systems are available in variants<br />
offering low, medium, or high daily<br />
throughput. For biogas upgrading<br />
<strong>GRE<strong>EN</strong></strong> <strong>EFFICI<strong>EN</strong>T</strong> <strong>TECHNOLOGIES</strong> 20<strong>25</strong><br />
15
Efficient handling of energy gases<br />
Fig. 2: CNK 420 system in closed design for outdoor use with cooler<br />
using the membrane process, in both open versions for indoor use<br />
screw compressors are required to<br />
generate the pressure necessary for<br />
and closed, weatherproof versions<br />
for outdoor installation.<br />
gas separation.<br />
The membrane process offers<br />
a streamlined way to refine biogas,<br />
CO 2 gas liquefaction: focusing on<br />
efficiency and performance<br />
separating carbon dioxide (CO 2 )<br />
from methane (CH 4 ) to upgrade the<br />
gas to natural-gas quality. It employs<br />
semi-permeable membranes whose<br />
specific properties allow different<br />
gases to permeate at different rates.<br />
CO 2 diffuses through the membrane<br />
more rapidly and can thus be separated<br />
Recovering CO 2 as part of gas processing<br />
technology is now a tried<br />
and tested process. As a pioneering<br />
solution in the modern gas industry.<br />
BAUER’s purpose-built systems are<br />
an outstanding example of innovation<br />
and efficiency. This particularly<br />
effectively.<br />
BAUER KOMPRESSOR<strong>EN</strong> offers<br />
wide-ranging air- and water-cooled<br />
complete screw-compressor systems<br />
to cater to this process, covering<br />
delivery rates from 10 m³/h up<br />
to 4,000 m³/h. With drive powers<br />
from 10 to 680 kW, the compressors<br />
achieve final pressures between 7<br />
and 20 bar (g). Their flexible configurations<br />
and numerous options allow<br />
them to meet the specific requirements<br />
of modern facilities. Complete<br />
systems are available with various<br />
configuration options, such as heat<br />
recovery. This feature allows the heat<br />
generated during the compression<br />
process to be used efficiently. This<br />
lowers operating costs and improves<br />
the plant's overall energy efficiency.<br />
Complete systems can also be supplied<br />
with or without a control cabinet<br />
as required. This allows for flexible<br />
integration into existing control systems<br />
or the creation of stand-alone<br />
control setups. Systems are available Fig. 3: CNK 420 system in open configuration<br />
applies to the CNK 420 system, which<br />
impresses not only through its technical<br />
specifications, but also its versatility<br />
and performance.<br />
The CNK 420 operates under<br />
optimal conditions with a suction<br />
pressure of 84 mbar(g) and a final<br />
pressure of 10 bar(g). These parameters<br />
are critical for efficient gas<br />
processing and ensure consistent<br />
biomethane quality. Delivering an<br />
impressive capacity of 1,580 m³/h,<br />
it ranks among the most powerful<br />
systems of its kind. Its design also<br />
allows for a maximum output of up<br />
to 1,800 m³/h, providing the flexibility<br />
to meet changing market demands.<br />
Overall, CO 2 recovery within gas-processing<br />
technology represents a<br />
major step towards a sustainable<br />
and high-performance energy supply<br />
that successfully unites economic<br />
efficiency with environmental<br />
responsibility.<br />
BAUER KOMPRESSOR<strong>EN</strong> GmbH<br />
Munich, Germany<br />
www.bauer-kompressoren.de<br />
16 <strong>GRE<strong>EN</strong></strong> <strong>EFFICI<strong>EN</strong>T</strong> <strong>TECHNOLOGIES</strong> 20<strong>25</strong>
Efficient handling of energy gases<br />
Wire mesh as a key to cost reduction<br />
in hydrogen production<br />
Innovative Porous Transport Layer (PTL) for scalable electrolyzer stacks<br />
Lars Wegner and Bentja Witte<br />
HyVentus, the reference stack for electrolyzers Image: Referenzfabrik.H 2<br />
Hydrogen: an energy carrier<br />
with challenges<br />
Hydrogen is considered a key technology<br />
in energy transition. As a storable<br />
energy carrier derived from<br />
renewable sources, it supports the<br />
decarbonization of energy-intensive<br />
industries and the development of<br />
cross-sector energy systems. However,<br />
its economic breakthrough<br />
depends largely on one factor: cost.<br />
Currently, hydrogen production via<br />
electrolysis is still significantly more<br />
expensive than fossil alternatives. In<br />
Germany, for example, the production<br />
cost of one kilogram of green<br />
hydrogen exceeds €7.50 (as of June<br />
20<strong>25</strong>, R1), far above the target of 1.00<br />
US dollar set by the U.S. Department<br />
of Energy (DOE) as a benchmark for<br />
a competitive hydrogen economy<br />
(R2; R3).<br />
Achieving this ambitious goal for cost reduction lies in the stack—<br />
requires technological innovation the heart of the electrolyzer. This is<br />
and industrial scaling. One example: where the highest capital expenditures<br />
In PEM electrolysis (Proton Exchange<br />
(CAPEX) occur. To reduce these<br />
Membrane), the greatest potential costs, we need:<br />
Fig. 1: Cost reduction diagram for PEM electrolyzers Image: based on Referenzfabrik.H 2<br />
<strong>GRE<strong>EN</strong></strong> <strong>EFFICI<strong>EN</strong>T</strong> <strong>TECHNOLOGIES</strong> 20<strong>25</strong><br />
17
Efficient handling of energy gases<br />
• Cost-efficient materials and manufacturing<br />
technologies<br />
• Scalable designs for mass production<br />
(“Design to Assembly”)<br />
• High-performance components<br />
that enhance efficiency and<br />
durability<br />
Challenges in the stack <strong>–</strong> The role of<br />
the Porous Transport Layer (PTL)<br />
To improve the economic viability of<br />
electrolysis, the stack becomes the<br />
central focus. It consists of various<br />
components with different functions—<br />
including the Porous Transport Layer<br />
(PTL), which plays a crucial role in the<br />
efficiency of the Membrane Electrode<br />
Assembly (MEA). Positioned between<br />
the bipolar plate and the cata lystcoated<br />
membrane (CCM), the PTL fulfills<br />
two essential tasks:<br />
• Delivering purified water to<br />
the CCM<br />
• Removing the resulting gas<br />
bubbles<br />
To ensure these processes work<br />
reliably, the PTL must offer high<br />
electrical conductivity, porosity, and<br />
corrosion resistance—even under<br />
extreme operating conditions—to<br />
protect the CCM. The material and<br />
structure of the PTL significantly<br />
influence the efficiency, lifetime, and<br />
invest cost of an electrolyzer.<br />
Until this date, titanium fiber<br />
fleece or powder-sintered materials<br />
have often been used as PTL. While<br />
offering high porosity, they also present<br />
drawbacks:<br />
• Inhomogeneous pore distribution:<br />
Porosity varies across the surface<br />
• Chaotic structure: Gas bubbles or<br />
droplets may become trapped,<br />
reducing efficiency<br />
The solution <strong>–</strong> 3D wire mesh as PTL<br />
A technological breakthrough with<br />
high industrial potential is the use<br />
of three-dimensional titanium wire<br />
mesh. The mesh structure is based<br />
on the RPD-HIFLO series—a specially<br />
developed high-performance filter<br />
mesh known for its precisely defined<br />
pore geometry and high flow capacity<br />
for liquids and gases. Unlike traditional<br />
square meshes or braids, this mesh<br />
features a three-dimensional architecture<br />
that offers both technological<br />
superiority and economic advantages:<br />
• Defined pore geometry:<br />
Prevents gas bubble entrapment<br />
and enables rapid removal<br />
• Comparatively smooth surface:<br />
Ensures reliable membrane contact<br />
without mechanical damage<br />
• High internal porosity: Supports<br />
efficient gas diffusion and water<br />
distribution<br />
• Roll-to-roll processing: Enables<br />
automated stack assembly<br />
• Calibratable thickness: Allows<br />
flexible integration into various<br />
stack designs<br />
• Cost advantage: Up to 70%<br />
cheaper than conventional substitutes<br />
due to the elimination of<br />
thermal sintering<br />
• Higher efficiency: Improved<br />
electro chemical performance<br />
compared to fleece or powdersintered<br />
PTLs<br />
The material used is Titanium<br />
Grade 1 (Material No. 3.70<strong>25</strong>)—a corrosion-resistant,<br />
high-purity material<br />
with excellent electrochemical stability.<br />
Typical PTL thickness ranges from<br />
300 to 700 µm, depending on wire<br />
diameter and desired porosity.<br />
Using wire mesh as PTL contributes<br />
to cost reduction in hydrogen<br />
production on multiple levels.<br />
Thanks to industrial weaving processes,<br />
it can be efficiently manufactured<br />
in large quantities, significantly<br />
enhancing scalability.<br />
Fig. 2: The MINIMESH ® RPD HIFLO-S filter braid as an example of 3D wire mesh<br />
Image: Haver & Boecker<br />
18 <strong>GRE<strong>EN</strong></strong> <strong>EFFICI<strong>EN</strong>T</strong> <strong>TECHNOLOGIES</strong> 20<strong>25</strong>
FILTECH<br />
June 30 <strong>–</strong> July 02, 2026<br />
Cologne <strong>–</strong> Germany<br />
The Filtration Event<br />
www.Filtech.de<br />
Platform<br />
for your<br />
Fig. 3: Structure of the HyVentus PEM stack<br />
Image: based on Fraunhofer IWU<br />
success<br />
Practical insight: HyVentus <strong>–</strong><br />
Scalable stack development<br />
in practice<br />
A concrete development project that<br />
exemplifies how technological innovations<br />
can be translated into scalable industrial<br />
applications is the development of<br />
the HyVentus electrolyzer stack—initiated<br />
by the Referenzfabrik.H 2 at Fraunhofer<br />
IWU. The goal is to develop a cost-effective<br />
and scalable electrolyzer stack designed<br />
specifi cally for mass production.<br />
To achieve this, a cross-industry consortium<br />
was formed, now com prising<br />
over 30 partners from industry and<br />
research—including Fraunhofer IWU,<br />
Linamar, Aumann, Fraunhofer <strong>EN</strong>AS,<br />
Horiba, and HAVER & BOECKER. Together,<br />
they analyze all stack components and<br />
develop new solutions suitable for industrial<br />
series production—from the bipolar<br />
plate to the CCM and GDL (Gas Diffusion<br />
Layer), to the current distributor plate<br />
and PTL.<br />
The PTL showcases the potential<br />
of innovative materials like wire mesh:<br />
Through roll-to-roll manufacturing, the<br />
mesh can be ideally combined with other<br />
scalable processes—such as the embossing<br />
technique used in the project for producing<br />
bipolar plates. This techno logy<br />
enables precise structuring of metallic<br />
plates with high production speed and<br />
reduced unit costs.<br />
The principle of “Design for Manufacturing<br />
& Assembly” runs throughout the<br />
project: Components are optimized not<br />
only functionally but also for manufacturability.<br />
The result is a stack that is both<br />
high-performing and economically producible—a<br />
crucial step toward hydrogen<br />
production at 1.00 US dollar per kilogram.<br />
The Authors:<br />
Lars Wegner (MBA & Eng.)<br />
Business Development Manager<br />
E-Mail: L.Wegner@haverboecker.com<br />
Bentja Witte<br />
Marketing<br />
HAVER & BOECKER OHG<br />
www.haverboecker.com<br />
Refences<br />
R1: www.oeko.de/fileadmin/<br />
oekodoc/Matthes_Brauer-<br />
Wasserstoff-Erzeugungskosten.pdf<br />
R2: www.utilitydive.com/news/<br />
doe-clean-hydrogen-fuel-cell-<br />
program-plan/715606/<br />
R3: https://power-to-x.com/us-en<br />
ergieministerin-will-mit-hydro<br />
gen-shot-die-kosten-fuer-sauber<br />
en-wasserstoff-auf-1-dollar-pro-kilo<br />
gramm-senken/<br />
<strong>GRE<strong>EN</strong></strong> <strong>EFFICI<strong>EN</strong>T</strong> <strong>TECHNOLOGIES</strong> 20<strong>25</strong><br />
600+ Exhibitors<br />
Delivers<br />
solutions for<br />
current<br />
and future<br />
challenges<br />
Your Contact: Suzanne Abetz<br />
E-mail: info@filtech.de<br />
Phone: +49 (0)2132 93 57 60
Efficient handling of energy gases<br />
The safe way to transport hydrogen <strong>–</strong><br />
with the MEGC container<br />
Felix Brühl and Benjamin Lemke<br />
transport, reduces logistical risks,<br />
and increases efficiency throughout<br />
the entire supply chain.<br />
Multimodal use with<br />
high transport capacity<br />
The MEGC container is designed as a standard 40" container that can be flexibly deployed<br />
across various transport environments <strong>–</strong> whether by freight train, ship, or truck.<br />
<br />
Image: Hexagon Purus<br />
Endress+Hauser, together with four<br />
project partners, is developing an<br />
innovative MEGC (Multiple-Element<br />
Gas Container) within a publicly<br />
funded project consortium. This<br />
cutting-edge container sets new<br />
standards for the safe and efficient<br />
transport of hydrogen. Designed<br />
as an integrated system, it combines<br />
state-of-the-art measurement<br />
and automation technology with<br />
advanced storage and materials<br />
engineering <strong>–</strong> creating a key foundation<br />
for the large-scale rollout of<br />
hydrogen.<br />
Hydrogen is considered a strategically<br />
important energy carrier for<br />
Fig. 1: Endress+Hauser is developing an<br />
MEGC container within a publicly funded<br />
project consortium that sets new standards<br />
for the safe and efficient transport of<br />
hydrogen.<br />
<br />
Image: Endress+Hauser<br />
the transformation of industry and<br />
mobility. However, its widespread<br />
use has so far been hindered by significant<br />
transport challenges. In the<br />
absence of a robust pipeline network,<br />
distribution currently takes place<br />
mainly by truck, rail, or ship. These<br />
transport modes place high demands<br />
on pressure storage, safety, and<br />
handling. This is precisely where the<br />
MEGC container comes in: it has been<br />
developed by a strong consortium<br />
comprising Endress+Hauser, a global<br />
leader in measurement and automation<br />
technology; Hexagon Purus,<br />
a specialist in high-pressure hydrogen<br />
storage systems; DB Cargo BTT, a<br />
leading provider of hazardous goods<br />
logistics for rail freight; Infraserv<br />
Höchst, operator of the Höchst Industrial<br />
Park with extensive hydrogen<br />
expertise; and the Fraunhofer IML,<br />
renowned for its research in material<br />
flow and logistics. The collaborative<br />
project is funded by the German<br />
Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs<br />
and Energy.<br />
By combining automation expertise<br />
with advanced material and<br />
storage technology, the container<br />
enables safe, multimodal hydrogen<br />
The MEGC container is built as a<br />
40’ PW container that can be flexibly<br />
deployed across various transport<br />
environments <strong>–</strong> whether by freight<br />
train, ship, or truck. With a capacity<br />
of up to 1,<strong>25</strong>0 kilograms of hydrogen<br />
at 500 bar pressure, it offers a high<br />
transport volume while meeting the<br />
most stringent safety standards. A<br />
key feature is the integrated remote<br />
monitoring system: it continuously<br />
records data on pressure, temperature,<br />
and the container’s location,<br />
securely documents it, and transmits<br />
it in real time. This gives operators<br />
full visibility of their entire fleet at all<br />
times, enabling more efficient transport<br />
planning and management.<br />
Operating modes for stationary<br />
and mobile applications<br />
In normal operation, the container<br />
functions in two modes. In stationary<br />
mode, loading and unloading can<br />
be controlled using calculated filling<br />
curves, and both pressure- and<br />
temperature-controlled processes<br />
are possible. All operations are fully<br />
logged <strong>–</strong> both locally and remotely <strong>–</strong><br />
and data relevant for legal metrology<br />
and billing is exchanged automatically.<br />
Control and communication<br />
can be wireless (WLAN with Profi-<br />
Safe) and, thanks to open protocols,<br />
are compatible with both proprietary<br />
and third-party operator panels.<br />
In addition, a manual mode is available<br />
for emergency situations, allowing<br />
pneumatic operation by hand.<br />
For precise hydrogen measurement,<br />
a certified metering system is integrated,<br />
recording both intake and<br />
discharge. This enables accurate,<br />
audit-proof billing between producers<br />
20 <strong>GRE<strong>EN</strong></strong> <strong>EFFICI<strong>EN</strong>T</strong> <strong>TECHNOLOGIES</strong> 20<strong>25</strong>
Efficient handling of energy gases<br />
and consumers. Moreover, the container<br />
performs filling and emptying<br />
autonomously: through automated<br />
communication with counterpart<br />
stations via open interfaces, the logistics<br />
process is executed reliably and<br />
efficiently.<br />
In mobile mode <strong>–</strong> during transport<br />
by rail, truck, or inland vessel <strong>–</strong> the<br />
container records and transmits all<br />
safety- and logistics-relevant operational<br />
data, including pressure, temperature,<br />
fill level, and real-time GPS<br />
position via cellular communication.<br />
Boosting efficiency through<br />
automated maintenance processes<br />
In hydrogen transport, every hour<br />
that a container is out of operation<br />
matters. Mandatory maintenance<br />
and safety inspections are essential<br />
but time-consuming, reducing container<br />
availability.<br />
This is precisely where<br />
Endress+Hauser’s Heartbeat Technology<br />
makes a difference. In a dedicated<br />
maintenance mode, required<br />
SIL proof tests can be carried out<br />
automatically, contact-free, and via<br />
Bluetooth <strong>–</strong> without dismantling any<br />
components. For example, inspection<br />
time for measuring devices is<br />
reduced from around 35 minutes<br />
to just 2 minutes and 40 seconds,<br />
a time saving of more than 90 percent.<br />
At the same time, error risk<br />
decreases, safety increases, and personnel<br />
are significantly relieved. Most<br />
importantly, the container is ready<br />
for transport much sooner <strong>–</strong> a measurable<br />
gain in reliability and performance<br />
across the entire hydrogen<br />
logistics chain.<br />
Networking and integration into<br />
hydrogen infrastructures<br />
In day-to-day operations, success<br />
depends not only on safe transport<br />
and minimal downtime but also on<br />
precise distribution: Where is hydrogen<br />
currently needed? Where is it<br />
available? How can it be transported<br />
quickly and efficiently? Thanks to<br />
open interfaces, MEGC containers<br />
can be integrated into over arching<br />
hydrogen information networks.<br />
These networks continuously collect,<br />
document, and share data on<br />
supply and demand, providing full<br />
transparency. Based on this data,<br />
operators can manage distribution<br />
in a targeted, flexible, and efficient<br />
way. This creates an essential building<br />
block for establishing a reliable<br />
supply chain and a functioning hydrogen<br />
infrastructure.<br />
The solution combines modern<br />
monitoring, flexible operating modes,<br />
optimized maintenance processes,<br />
and seamless connectivity with logistics<br />
platforms. Altogether, the smart<br />
MEGC container becomes a key<br />
enabler for both short- and longterm<br />
hydrogen supply security and a<br />
Fig. 2: The MEGC container offers a unique<br />
combination of monitoring, versatile operating<br />
modes, optimized maintenance processes,<br />
and seamless connectivity with<br />
logistics platforms. Image: Hexagon Purus<br />
cornerstone of a successful hydrogen<br />
strategy.<br />
The Authors:<br />
Felix Brühl<br />
Business Development Manager<br />
(Sales Marketing)<br />
Benjamin Lemke<br />
Expert System Architecture at<br />
Endress+Hauser<br />
HIGH-PRESSURE TECHNOLOGY<br />
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Modular system: Efficient modular solutions for any challenge<br />
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<strong>GRE<strong>EN</strong></strong> <strong>EFFICI<strong>EN</strong>T</strong> <strong>TECHNOLOGIES</strong> 20<strong>25</strong><br />
21
Energy recovery<br />
Innovative warehouse shuttle system with regenerative energy<br />
Up and away with Bergzeit<br />
Andrea Balser<br />
From the attic to the<br />
high-bay warehouse<br />
The MOVIDRIVE MDR90B sinusoidal regenerative power supply (center of image, gray) is<br />
designed for 50 kW energy supply and recovery with a maximum peak of 2.5 times that. Just<br />
like the MOVIDRIVE ® modular frequency inverter with four axes (to the right of it), it is part of<br />
the MOVIC ® modular automation system.<br />
Image: SEW<br />
Seven aisles accommodating 54 000<br />
storage spaces for items of clothing<br />
and equipment for mountain sports.<br />
Bergzeit GmbH started up its highbay<br />
warehouse and downstream<br />
logistics in 2022, and has been serving<br />
its customers even faster and<br />
even more sustainably ever since.<br />
The new warehouse shuttle system<br />
is fitted with regenerative drive<br />
technology from SEW-Eurodrive.<br />
Bergzeit GmbH offers a wide range of<br />
products covering all kinds of mountain<br />
sports <strong>–</strong> be it hiking, climbing,<br />
mountaineering, ski tours, or biking.<br />
The company is based in Otterfing,<br />
Upper Bavaria, some 30 kilometers<br />
south of Munich. The mountain<br />
sports equipment provider was<br />
founded in 1999 as a classic startup<br />
based out of someone’s attic. Initially,<br />
founder Klaus Lehner provided touring<br />
information on the Internet, and<br />
came into contact with a lot of people<br />
via the touring portal. This gave rise<br />
to a growing number of queries<br />
about equipment.<br />
The foundations for Internet<br />
sales were laid with bike computers.<br />
The “Bergzeit” online shop<br />
went live in 2001. The company<br />
grew rapidly, opening branches<br />
in Grosshartpenning near Holzkirchen<br />
and Gmund am Tegernsee<br />
in 2003 and 2010. The new Bergzeit<br />
headquarters, with logistics and an<br />
adminis trative building, was opened<br />
in Otterfing near Holzkirchen in 2017.<br />
For the first few years, shipping processes<br />
were entirely manual. Since<br />
capacity limits were soon reached,<br />
the company’s management decided<br />
to build an automated warehouse<br />
shuttle system in 2020.<br />
When the extension was complete,<br />
Bergzeit had a service provider install<br />
the shelving system. psb intralogistics<br />
GmbH then fitted the shuttle system.<br />
“In addition to ensuring efficient<br />
logistics processes, we wanted the<br />
warehouse shuttle system to be sustainable<br />
in energy terms, too,” says<br />
Holger Cecco-Stark, Head of Facility<br />
& ECO-Management at Bergzeit. One<br />
requirement was therefore the ability<br />
to feed the braking energy from the<br />
lifts back into the supply system. This<br />
was where SEW-Eurodrive drives<br />
with regenerative units came in.<br />
Since the new high-bay warehouse<br />
is an energy-intensive facility, a new<br />
transformer was also installed. The<br />
automated warehouse was finished<br />
in 2022. It features 54 000 storage<br />
spaces in seven identical aisles, with<br />
eight shuttles operating in each. The<br />
shuttles can move freely between<br />
levels. “Items are stacked three-deep<br />
in the aisles,” explains Cecco-Stark.<br />
“Wherever a shuttle stops, it can<br />
therefore serve six storage spaces.”<br />
Hoists with powerful acceleration<br />
In this high-bay warehouse, two<br />
hoists are installed at the front of<br />
each aisle, and two more in the<br />
middle of the aisle. At the customer’s<br />
Fig. 1: This building houses the administrative offices, with the Bergzeit logistics center in two<br />
halls behind it.<br />
Image: Bergzeit<br />
22 <strong>GRE<strong>EN</strong></strong> <strong>EFFICI<strong>EN</strong>T</strong> <strong>TECHNOLOGIES</strong> 20<strong>25</strong>
Energy recovery<br />
request, sinusoidal regenerative<br />
power supply modules were used.<br />
Klaus Kröner, applications engineer<br />
for regenerative power supply units<br />
at SEW-Eurodrive, supported psb<br />
right from the first field tests of these<br />
units. Based in Pirmasens, the system<br />
manufacturer is a long-standing<br />
partner of SEW-Eurodrive, and was<br />
one of the first users of these regenerative<br />
power supply units. Together<br />
with a control technician from psb,<br />
the SEW-Eurodrive service team optimized<br />
the control of the sinusoidal<br />
regenerative power supply units and<br />
implemented energy meters <strong>–</strong> digital<br />
interfaces that measure the current<br />
motor or regenerative energy<br />
flow. The regenerative power supply<br />
units are fitted with IGBTs operating<br />
at 12 kHz. A filter choke as a low pass<br />
prevents the 12 kHz clock frequency<br />
getting into the supply system. When<br />
there is no travel order for the lifts, the<br />
regenerative power supply is blocked<br />
after one minute to prevent idling<br />
losses. The MOVIDRIVE ® MDR90B<br />
sinusoidal regenerative power supply<br />
is designed for 50 kW energy supply<br />
and recovery, with peak power<br />
2.5 times that. Just like the frequency<br />
inverters of the MOVIDRIVE ® modular<br />
series, this supply unit is part of the<br />
MOVIC ® modular automation system.<br />
Fig. 2: Transport crates are used for order picking on several conveyor lines in the new<br />
logistics hall.<br />
Image: SEW<br />
Fig. 3: At the order picking stations, the items of clothing and equipment are removed from<br />
containers, which are then returned to the warehouse.<br />
Image: SEW<br />
Sustainable power supply<br />
Bergzeit GmbH attaches great importance<br />
to environmentally friendly use<br />
of resources. As part of its strategic<br />
alignment, the company developed<br />
an energy concept that is established<br />
in almost every section of<br />
the company, and continues to be<br />
expanded. Since 2020, the company<br />
has opted for validation under<br />
the EU's Eco-Management and Audit<br />
Scheme (EMAS), which ensures that<br />
every environmental consideration <strong>–</strong><br />
from energy consumption to waste<br />
and emissions <strong>–</strong> is taken into account<br />
transparently and in line with legal<br />
requirements.<br />
Bergzeit installed a photovoltaic<br />
system on the roof to supply<br />
current, opting for the maximum<br />
possible configuration to ensure<br />
future viability. “We currently produce<br />
around 550 000 kilowatt hours<br />
Fig. 4: Erectors adjust the packaging boxes to the actual fill-level. This helps conserve<br />
resources in onward transport.<br />
Image: SEW<br />
per year,” Cecco-Stark explains. “We<br />
are aiming to have eliminated fossil<br />
fuels completely at our site by 2030.”<br />
In terms of its vehicle fleet, too, the<br />
company has moved to a more sustainable<br />
approach. As Cecco-Stark<br />
says, “We started with our company<br />
cars, switching them from internal<br />
combustion engines to e-vehicles.<br />
We have now switched 99 percent<br />
of our cars, with the last one set to<br />
follow next year.” He goes on to say<br />
that one of the two logistics buses<br />
that supply the two branches is currently<br />
being replaced with an e-transporter.<br />
“The central incoming goods<br />
department is in Otterfing. If one of<br />
the branches needs a certain item, it<br />
is picked in Otterfing and transported<br />
to the branch,” he explains. Goods<br />
also move in the opposite direction.<br />
For example, goods from the upper<br />
price segment are displayed in the<br />
branches <strong>–</strong> after all, it’s no good if<br />
they are lying around invisible in the<br />
warehouse <strong>–</strong> but are also available<br />
to buy via the online shop. When a<br />
pro duct is sold online, it is brought<br />
<strong>GRE<strong>EN</strong></strong> <strong>EFFICI<strong>EN</strong>T</strong> <strong>TECHNOLOGIES</strong> 20<strong>25</strong><br />
23
Energy recovery<br />
Fig. 5: Four gearmotors operate in each<br />
aisle, two at the entrance and two in the<br />
middle. They are each fed by an inverter<br />
axis.<br />
Image: SEW<br />
back to the central warehouse and<br />
shipped from there.<br />
Clean energy at a low price<br />
The photovoltaic system produces<br />
up to 550 000 kWh of energy per<br />
year, and is certified under the Re gister<br />
of Guarantees of Origin (HKNR).<br />
As a result, Bergzeit GmbH is able to<br />
both generate and sell green energy.<br />
After covering on-site requirements,<br />
e. g. for the 20 in-house charging stations,<br />
the company feeds the remaining<br />
power <strong>–</strong> around 40 percent of<br />
the total yield <strong>–</strong> into the supply grid.<br />
“Initially, we offered the electricity to<br />
our staff at a preferential price via<br />
our partner EWS (Elektrizitätswerke<br />
Schönau). Our customers can now<br />
also benefit from this offer,” says<br />
Cecco-Stark. He believes autonomous<br />
regional energy networks are<br />
the future, as long as grid operators<br />
cooperate and there is the political<br />
will to remove bureaucratic obstacles.<br />
Sustainability influences<br />
purchasing decisions<br />
Cecco-Stark is a mountain sports<br />
enthusiast himself. The Alps sparked<br />
his interest when he was a child, and<br />
he spent many vacations there with<br />
his parents. While he was at university,<br />
he often went on weekend trips<br />
to the mountains. Around 12 years<br />
ago, he began working at Bergzeit<br />
GmbH and was able to combine business<br />
with pleasure. Thanks to his volunteer<br />
work as a countryside ranger,<br />
he was quick to recognize the beneficial<br />
symbiosis of mountain sport<br />
and closeness to nature. Around<br />
eight years ago, he worked with the<br />
new managing director at the time<br />
to develop an initial sustainability<br />
concept, and employed a sustainability<br />
manager. “We worked with her<br />
to continuously develop our strategy<br />
and targets, and for some customers<br />
this is a key factor in their decision to<br />
buy.”<br />
Remote working helps achieve<br />
sustainability targets<br />
Bergzeit produced its first climate<br />
assessment in 2019, and used this<br />
as a basis for setting ambitious targets<br />
in terms of cutting its carbon<br />
footprint. To this end, the company<br />
joined the Science Based Targets Initiative<br />
(SBTi). The company now has<br />
around 150 more employees than in<br />
2019. Of course, they have to get to<br />
work somehow. Bergzeit subsidizes<br />
50% of the cost of the Deutschlandticket<br />
(German subscription ticket<br />
for local public transport) to encourage<br />
staff to switch to public transport.<br />
Otterfing is convenient for the northsouth<br />
line of the local suburban railway.<br />
“However, depending on where<br />
you live, you might still need a car,”<br />
Cecco-Stark states. “This runs completely<br />
contrary to our sustainability<br />
goals,” he continues. He explains that,<br />
to counteract this, they have introduced<br />
measures such as free charging<br />
for electric vehicles. Some <strong>25</strong><br />
members of staff currently make use<br />
of this option and invest the money<br />
they save on fuel into a vehicle leasing<br />
contract. Another way the mountain<br />
sports equipment provider supports<br />
its employees is by being very open to<br />
remote working. Anyone whose job<br />
description allows it (primarily administrative<br />
staff) can work remotely.<br />
Bergzeit GmbH operates a working<br />
time model based on trust, and this<br />
works very well. Cecco-Stark reports<br />
that the company attaches great<br />
importance to personal organization,<br />
individual responsibility and self<br />
motivation. “That is also a development<br />
process.” He also explains that,<br />
as long as all the necessary work has<br />
been done, all members of staff have<br />
the option of taking a spur-of-the-moment<br />
trip into the great outdoors to<br />
enjoy fresh snow on a winter’s day.<br />
The Author:<br />
Fig. 6: Bergzeit GmbH switched to DHL’s GoGreen Plus service for shipping in 2024<br />
<br />
Image: Bergzeit<br />
Andrea Balser<br />
Trade Press Officer<br />
SEW-Eurodrive, Bruchsal, Germany<br />
Further information:<br />
www.sew-eurodrive.de/regenerativepower-supply<br />
Or video: youtu.be/N-mnuyf_<br />
kso?si=eXBcqBwevTO4qm6t<br />
24 <strong>GRE<strong>EN</strong></strong> <strong>EFFICI<strong>EN</strong>T</strong> <strong>TECHNOLOGIES</strong> 20<strong>25</strong>
Energy-efficient heating<br />
Green district heating for Giessen<br />
Sustainable heat supply via the PowerLahn project<br />
and three large-scale heat pumps from Johnson Controls<br />
Erik Joseph<br />
Sustainable heat from the Lahn: The powerful Sabroe DualPAC large heat pumps extract heat from the river water and feed it efficiently into<br />
the existing district heating network.<br />
Image: Johnson Controls<br />
District heating plays a central role<br />
in the heat transition. It can enable<br />
a sustainable heat supply <strong>–</strong> particularly<br />
through the targeted use of<br />
renewable energy and innovative<br />
technologies. Stadtwerke Giessen<br />
(SWG) is demonstrating what this<br />
can look like with its PowerLahn pilot<br />
project, which combines three largescale<br />
heat pumps from Johnson<br />
Controls, two combined heat and<br />
power (CHP) plants and a powerto-heat<br />
(P2H) system to create an<br />
innovative CHP system designed for<br />
maximum efficiency, flexibility and<br />
CO 2 reduction. Commissioning is<br />
planned for mid-2026.<br />
A key contributor to a successful<br />
and sustainable energy transition in<br />
heating is the use of already available<br />
energy sources with the shortest<br />
possible transport routes. In Giessen,<br />
the Lahn River offers a readily available,<br />
locally accessible heat source:<br />
its water supplies thermal energy<br />
directly to the urban area, which<br />
can be efficiently integrated into the<br />
existing district heating network. The<br />
innovative CHP plant harnesses the<br />
river’s potential and generates both<br />
thermal energy and electricity, earning<br />
the project its name, “Power<br />
Lahn”.<br />
Utilizing river water as<br />
a thermal energy source<br />
At the heart of the state-subsidized<br />
innovative CHP plant are three<br />
Sabroe DualPAC water/water heat<br />
pumps from Johnson Controls, which<br />
extract thermal energy from the Lahn<br />
river to feed it into the existing district<br />
heating network. Combined with two<br />
CHP units and a P2H system, which<br />
are also designed for maximum<br />
energy efficiency and CO 2 reduction,<br />
the large-scale heat pumps produce<br />
around 29,000 MWh of heat energy<br />
per year, which will supply around<br />
3,900 households in Giessen with<br />
emission-free heat in the future.<br />
To do this, river water is extracted,<br />
routed directly through the heat<br />
pump's evaporator and returned to<br />
the Lahn at a slightly lower temperature.<br />
Johnson Controls has designed<br />
its DualPAC large heat pumps with a<br />
heat output of up to 1,700 kW specifically<br />
for large-scale use in district<br />
heating systems: The state-of-theart<br />
machines combine the technologies<br />
of the ChillPAC chiller series<br />
and the HeatPAC heat pump series,<br />
which have already proven them<br />
<strong>GRE<strong>EN</strong></strong> <strong>EFFICI<strong>EN</strong>T</strong> <strong>TECHNOLOGIES</strong> 20<strong>25</strong><br />
<strong>25</strong>
Energy-efficient heating<br />
Fig. 1: In the CHP system operated by Stadtwerke Gießen, large heat pumps take over the base<br />
load of district heating supply during the warmer summer months. Image: Johnson Controls<br />
selves many times over. They use<br />
a water-glycol mixture as the heat<br />
source. Maximum energy efficiency is<br />
ensured by their two-stage compression<br />
system, which does not use a<br />
performance-reducing intermediate<br />
heat exchanger, but instead a medium-pressure<br />
tank that reduces the<br />
amount of refrigerant required to just<br />
115 kilograms of ammonia (R717).<br />
The natural refrigerant is not subject<br />
to the F-gas Regulation and is therefore<br />
future-proof in the long term.<br />
With a COP (Coefficient of Performance)<br />
of 3.9, DualPAC large heat<br />
pumps offer high efficiency, resulting<br />
in low operating costs and minimal<br />
CO 2 emissions. For every kilowatt<br />
hour of electricity used, they generate<br />
more than twice as much heat.<br />
Furthermore, at seven meters long,<br />
three meters wide, 2.6 meters high<br />
and weighing around 17 tons, they<br />
are also extremely compact.<br />
PowerLahn project <strong>–</strong> an innovative<br />
CHP system with a bright future<br />
In SWG’s innovative CHP system, the<br />
three large-scale heat pumps take<br />
over the base load of the district heating<br />
supply during the warmer summer<br />
months. From April to October,<br />
the water in the River Lahn usually<br />
provides sufficiently high temperatures<br />
to enable this. A positive side<br />
effect is that the targeted cooling of<br />
the river water in the return flow also<br />
counteracts overheating and thus<br />
even helps to protect sensitive organisms<br />
in the river.<br />
During the heating period, the two<br />
innovative CHP units in the system<br />
supplement the supply. They are primarily<br />
used when the flow temperatures<br />
are low and the heat pumps are<br />
therefore less efficient. The CHP units<br />
generate around 50,000 MWh of heat<br />
and around 47,000 MWh of electricity<br />
per year, achieving an overall efficiency<br />
of 95 %. They ensure a reliable<br />
heat supply even when outside temperatures<br />
are low.<br />
The P2H system, which uses surplus<br />
energy from renewable sources<br />
and converts it into heat, is also an<br />
essential part of the innovative CHP<br />
system. Its work further contributes<br />
to the decarbonization of the heating<br />
grid, but also serves to stabilize<br />
the electricity grid <strong>–</strong> especially when<br />
there is a high feed-in of wind and<br />
solar power. This enables a flexible<br />
response to fluctuations in the electricity<br />
grid.<br />
The two CHP units and the P2H<br />
module are located at the municipal<br />
utilities on the site of the CHP plant<br />
and will replace the older gas turbines<br />
at HKW Gießen GmbH in the<br />
future. With its innovative CHP, SWG<br />
will save over 7,700 tons of CO 2 per<br />
year in the future and make a significant<br />
contribution to climate change<br />
mitigation.<br />
A model for sustainable<br />
urban heating and potential savings<br />
With the PowerLahn project, SWG<br />
and Johnson Controls are demonstrating<br />
how a sustainable solution<br />
for municipal heat supply could ideally<br />
be designed. The water from the<br />
River Lahn, which would flow, unused,<br />
around the clock without the innovative<br />
CHP system, is being tapped as a<br />
renewable energy source using stateof-the-art<br />
technology. This helps to<br />
significantly increase the efficiency,<br />
cost-effectiveness and security of<br />
supply of the district heating network.<br />
Compared to conventional gas<br />
heating systems, the generation costs<br />
are significantly lower.<br />
The Giessen municipal utility’s<br />
pilot project marks another important<br />
step towards heat transformation.<br />
It proves that local environmental<br />
heat can be efficiently integrated into<br />
existing infrastructures to generate<br />
ecological and economic benefits <strong>–</strong><br />
and can therefore serve as a model<br />
for other cities.<br />
A role model for the whole<br />
of Europe<br />
Projects like PowerLahn are fundamental<br />
for the heat transition in<br />
Europe. Critical industries and facilities<br />
lose large amounts of valuable<br />
heat energy every day because<br />
it either escapes unused from processes<br />
or is not tapped from natural<br />
sources such as air, soil or water.<br />
However, cities and municipal utilities<br />
such as SWG, energy suppliers, and<br />
industrial companies are increasingly<br />
turning to heat pump solutions to utilize<br />
such energy sources. They benefit<br />
from significantly lower operating<br />
costs and CO 2 emissions <strong>–</strong> while also<br />
making a positive contribution to the<br />
environment.<br />
For example, a hospital that<br />
used a geothermal heat pump to<br />
draw heat from a tunnel 200 meters<br />
below ground was able to reduce<br />
its energy costs by 30% <strong>–</strong> and reliably<br />
cover 80 % of its heating requirements.<br />
In Denmark, Aalborg Hospital<br />
has achieved near climate neutrality:<br />
its CO 2 emissions have been reduced<br />
by up to 90 % and its energy costs by<br />
26 <strong>GRE<strong>EN</strong></strong> <strong>EFFICI<strong>EN</strong>T</strong> <strong>TECHNOLOGIES</strong> 20<strong>25</strong>
Energy-efficient heating<br />
Fig. 2: Johnson Controls is a pioneer in heat pump solutions and offers a comprehensive portfolio for commercial, institutional, and<br />
industrial applications.<br />
Image: Johnson Controls<br />
80 %. Meanwhile, Hounslow Council<br />
in the UK has invested in converting<br />
60 schools and public buildings from<br />
gas heating systems to air source heat<br />
pumps and is now saving over 50%<br />
on energy costs and CO 2 emissions.<br />
Heat pumps also offer great potential<br />
for industry: a leading Spanish food<br />
manufacturer saves 1.5 million euros<br />
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Go to product:
Energy-efficient heating<br />
Johnson Controls<br />
At Johnson Controls (NYSE:JCI), we<br />
transform the environments where<br />
people live, work, learn and play. As<br />
the global leader in smart, healthy<br />
and sustainable buildings, our mission<br />
is to reimagine the performance<br />
of buildings to serve people, places<br />
and the planet.<br />
Building on a proud history of<br />
140 years of innovation, we deliver<br />
the blueprint of the future for industries<br />
such as healthcare, schools, data<br />
centers, airports, stadiums, manufacturing<br />
and beyond through Open<br />
Blue, our comprehensive digital<br />
offering.<br />
Today, Johnson Controls offers<br />
the world’s largest portfolio of building<br />
technology and software as well<br />
as service solutions from some of the<br />
most trusted names in the industry.<br />
For more information, visit<br />
www.johnsoncontrols.com<br />
and follow us at @johnsoncontrols<br />
on social platforms.<br />
and around 2,000 tons of CO 2 annually,<br />
which is equivalent to the emissions<br />
of around 400 households.<br />
a comprehensive portfolio for commercial,<br />
institutional, and industrial<br />
applications. The company's<br />
machines can already utilize all types<br />
of natural energy sources, such as<br />
sea water, river water, lake water,<br />
wastewater, solar energy, biomass,<br />
and geothermal energy. The integration<br />
of unavoidable waste heat from<br />
industrial processes and data centers<br />
is already feasible and equally futureproof.<br />
With heat pumps designed for<br />
refrigerants with low or very low<br />
global warming potential, Johnson<br />
Controls is also playing a leading role<br />
in the transition to climate-friendly<br />
refrigerants. Thanks to machines<br />
from this global company, customers<br />
were able to reduce their operating<br />
costs by an average of 53 % and CO 2<br />
emissions by 60 % in 2024 compared<br />
to conventional gas heating systems.<br />
In conclusion<br />
The energy transformation in heating<br />
is one of the top issues in the energy<br />
industry for achieving municipal and<br />
private sector decarbonization targets.<br />
According to the Environmental<br />
Protection Agency (EPA), an estimated<br />
5 % of the world's daily fuel energy<br />
consumption is used to heat water.<br />
In addition, around <strong>25</strong> % of primary<br />
energy in Western European countries<br />
is used for cooling and heating<br />
applications.<br />
As natural resources remain<br />
under pressure and energy bills will<br />
continue to rise in the future, it is<br />
essential to look for new, environmentally<br />
friendly solutions. Whether<br />
in the air, water, ground or processes:<br />
Unused thermal energy<br />
can be found everywhere, and heat<br />
pump systems tap into this energy<br />
and make it usable via district heating<br />
networks. They improve operating<br />
results, ensure the avail ability<br />
and efficiency of critical infrastructures<br />
and drive investment<br />
into innovation, leading to greater<br />
competitiveness.<br />
Regardless of the source, largescale<br />
heat pumps can be operated<br />
locally. This increases regional value<br />
creation and supports the energy<br />
independence of communities and<br />
cities. Heat pumps are therefore<br />
becoming indispensable. They are<br />
essential and a key technology for the<br />
energy turnaround in Europe.<br />
Heat pumps in action<br />
The project in Giessen<br />
Whether global industrial and manufacturing<br />
companies, hospitals,<br />
cities and municipalities, or energy<br />
suppliers: successes like these are<br />
based on heat pumps developed and<br />
built by Johnson Controls in Europe.<br />
They offer Europe the opportunity<br />
to become a global leader in energy<br />
technology while strengthening its<br />
traditional core industries.<br />
Johnson Controls is a pioneer<br />
in heat pump solutions and offers<br />
Autor:<br />
Erik Joseph<br />
Sales Manager HVACR Energy<br />
Industrial and Large Heat Pumps<br />
Johnson Controls<br />
Further information can be found at<br />
www.johnsoncontrols.com<br />
Component l<br />
Sabroe DualPAC heat pumps<br />
• Output: 3 x 1,774 kWth<br />
• Guaranteed running time:<br />
April to October<br />
• Emission-free heat extraction:<br />
up to 29,000 MWh<br />
• Homes supplied: around 3,900<br />
• CO 2 savings (compared to a gas<br />
boiler): 7,767 tCO 2 /a<br />
Components ll + lll<br />
CHP units and P2H module<br />
• Thermal output: 2 x 4,726 kWth<br />
• Electrical output: 2 x 4,507 kWel<br />
• Secured running time:<br />
September to April<br />
• Heat generation: 49,995 MWh<br />
• Electricity generation: 46,934 MWh<br />
• Homes supplied (heat): around 6,800<br />
• Average households (electricity):<br />
around 21,300<br />
• CO 2 savings (compared to turbine<br />
system): 2,736t CO 2 /a<br />
“The biggest challenge for a climatefriendly<br />
district heating supply is the<br />
efficient integration of renewable energies<br />
into existing systems. With PowerLahn, we<br />
are using a local, renewable energy source<br />
and combining it with an innovative heat<br />
pump technology, combined heat and<br />
power generation, and power-to-heat.<br />
This model shows how sustainable heat<br />
supply can work in practice.”<br />
Matthias Funk<br />
Technical Director<br />
of Stadtwerke Giessen<br />
28 <strong>GRE<strong>EN</strong></strong> <strong>EFFICI<strong>EN</strong>T</strong> <strong>TECHNOLOGIES</strong> 20<strong>25</strong>
Energy-efficient production<br />
Intelligent AI-based energy systems from Greenflash<br />
On the way to becoming energy self-sufficient<br />
Hendrik Knese<br />
For the intelligent AI-based energy system installed in Twist, Greenflash combined the three PV installations of Giga Coating and System<br />
Trailers into one system with a total output of more than 2 MWp.<br />
Image: Greenflash GmbH<br />
Essen-based company Greenflash,<br />
in collaboration with STABL Energy,<br />
has implemented an intelligent<br />
energy system for their joint customer,<br />
the duo Giga Coating and<br />
System Trailers in the Emsland<br />
region. The combination of photovoltaics<br />
and energy storage using<br />
recycled electric car batteries is controlled<br />
by the new AI-based software<br />
Greencore AI from Greenflash.<br />
This offers advantages to energyintensive<br />
industrial enterprises such<br />
as Giga Coating and System Trailers<br />
that were hardly viable on this scale<br />
in the past.<br />
The energy transition has meanwhile<br />
arrived in industry, albeit with varying<br />
degrees of pressure for the different<br />
sectors to take action. However,<br />
issues such as rising energy prices<br />
and the necessity of orientation<br />
toward renewable energies are here<br />
to stay. Companies who fail to face<br />
these challenges and find answers<br />
and solutions in the short-term risk<br />
nothing less than economic ruin.<br />
Solar power yes,<br />
but only if it is intelligent!<br />
Many companies have already<br />
decided to install systems that allow<br />
them to cover at least part of their<br />
energy demand self-sufficiently, for<br />
example with photovoltaics. In principle,<br />
this is a good first step, but<br />
for the experts at Greenflash, the<br />
PV installation on the roof alone is<br />
inadequate. “Without intelligent control<br />
and a comprehensive concept, a<br />
simple PV installation not only leaves<br />
huge potential unused, but also costs<br />
the owner money,” explains Lennart<br />
Oklitz, Project Manager at Greenflash.<br />
“That happens on days when there is<br />
an oversupply of electricity at certain<br />
times. The feeding of self-generated,<br />
‘excess’ power to the grid costs up to<br />
1,000 euros or more in just one day.”<br />
More about this below.<br />
For Giga Coating GmbH and the<br />
vehicle manufacturer System Trailers<br />
just next door <strong>–</strong> the two companies<br />
are affiliated, with headquarters in<br />
Twist, near the city of Meppen in the<br />
Emsland region <strong>–</strong> the joint management<br />
decided to use an intelligent<br />
energy system such as that<br />
developed and implemented by<br />
Greenflash. Giga Coating is the site of<br />
Europe’s most modern surface coating<br />
plant for cathodic dip coating and<br />
powder coating, which is also utilized<br />
for fully automated coating of large<br />
workpieces for use in industry. The<br />
high power consumption of the stoving<br />
ovens forced the company to find<br />
alternatives to fossil fuels.<br />
Energy requirements at System<br />
Trailers are likewise high, in this case<br />
<strong>GRE<strong>EN</strong></strong> <strong>EFFICI<strong>EN</strong>T</strong> <strong>TECHNOLOGIES</strong> 20<strong>25</strong><br />
29
Energy-efficient production<br />
explained by Nam Truong, CEO and<br />
co-founder of the company with headquarters<br />
in Munich and a branch in<br />
Berlin: “While the market for storage<br />
solutions generally relies on long battery<br />
chains and high-voltage batteries,<br />
our architecture with battery modules<br />
provides for increased durability, reliability,<br />
and efficiency. This even allows<br />
the use of recycled batteries from electric<br />
cars, with no compromises in performance<br />
and service life. This is an<br />
important aspect with a view toward<br />
resource efficiency and recycling.”<br />
Modular concept with<br />
multi-level inverter<br />
Fig. 1: Acceptance of the energy storage system for Giga Coating and System Trailers by<br />
Greenflash and STABL in June 20<strong>25</strong> in Twist, Emsland <strong>–</strong> left, Lennart Oklitz, Technical Project<br />
Manager at Greenflash; right: Markus Weiss, Project Manager at STABL.<br />
<br />
Image: Greenflash GmbH<br />
for the welding robots used for the<br />
timely production of large quantities<br />
of trailers and semi-trailers in a wide<br />
variety of versions. In 2022, the two<br />
companies contacted Greenflash<br />
with the request to develop a<br />
sustainable solution for the power<br />
supply.<br />
“There are several reasons why Giga<br />
Coating and System Trailers are<br />
special customers for us,” explains<br />
Lennart Oklitz. “For example, we combined<br />
the two connecting points for<br />
the power grid to create a single system.<br />
The PV systems of both companies<br />
were initially installed separately,<br />
with 390 kWp at System Trailers and<br />
749 kWp at Giga Coating. They were<br />
likewise combined in this process.”<br />
Another simultaneously installed PV<br />
system with 1.2 MWp was certified<br />
and commissioned by Greenflash.<br />
Oklitz continues: “Since we are the<br />
general contractor for this project,<br />
we were able to set the course early<br />
on for a comprehensive, intelligent<br />
solution, including connection to the<br />
energy exchange. Another important<br />
milestone was the seamless integration<br />
of a power storage system for<br />
the solar power generated. This system<br />
was built by our partner STABL<br />
Energy, delivered in a 20-foot container<br />
in June 20<strong>25</strong>, and commissioned<br />
jointly.”<br />
The special feature of the STABL<br />
solution is the modular concept, as<br />
The STABL battery system for the two<br />
companies in Emsland comprises<br />
a total of 288 second-chance battery<br />
modules. Originally intended for<br />
installation in electric vehicles, they<br />
ended up on the shelf before getting<br />
a second chance. The usable storage<br />
capacity is 1,233 kWh, with an output<br />
of 405 kW. The purpose of the storage<br />
system is to smooth out peak loads<br />
and minimize grid charges due to<br />
atypical grid use. The modular design<br />
allows fast and versatile replacement<br />
of single battery modules throughout<br />
the service life of the system.<br />
Comprehensive solution with more<br />
than 2 MWp <strong>–</strong> and an innovative<br />
storage system<br />
Fig. 2: A stationary battery storage system from STABL Energy complements the energy<br />
system installed at Giga Coating and System Trailers <strong>–</strong> this allows intermediate storage<br />
of the self-generated solar power, controlled distribution of peak loads, and substantial<br />
reduction of electricity costs.<br />
Image: Greenflash GmbH<br />
30 <strong>GRE<strong>EN</strong></strong> <strong>EFFICI<strong>EN</strong>T</strong> <strong>TECHNOLOGIES</strong> 20<strong>25</strong>
Energy-efficient production<br />
Storage capability overcomes<br />
disadvantages<br />
The commercial storage unit is very<br />
important in that it offers independence<br />
from the daily changing dynamics<br />
of the electricity market. This<br />
eliminates the necessity of immediately<br />
feeding unneeded electricity<br />
into the grid <strong>–</strong> with the aforementioned<br />
costly consequence of a negative<br />
electricity rate due to the surplus.<br />
Conversely, a company can purchase<br />
electricity at favorable times and<br />
keep it in the storage system until it<br />
is needed. Project manager Lennart<br />
Oklitz: “A comprehensive system like<br />
the one we have implemented here<br />
at Giga Coating and System Trailers<br />
offers companies so many more<br />
possibilities to reduce their energy<br />
costs than would be possible with a<br />
simple PV system on the roof.”<br />
But the storage system is not<br />
the final development in the energy<br />
system at the affiliated companies<br />
in Twist: Giga Coating and System<br />
Trailers are meanwhile partners for<br />
a pilot project at Greenflash that<br />
demonstrates the capabilities of the<br />
AI-based energy management system<br />
<strong>–</strong> Greencore AI <strong>–</strong> in practice. “Simply<br />
put, Greencore AI controls an energy<br />
system in such a way that the customer<br />
always gets the best electricity<br />
rate in the end,” says Lennart Oklitz.<br />
“As soon as it becomes apparent that<br />
the electricity rate will be negative,<br />
our AI-based software intervenes to<br />
prevent electricity from flowing into<br />
the grid, thus eliminating the associated<br />
costs. We already have examples<br />
from the field that have enabled<br />
savings in the five figure range thanks<br />
to Greencore AI.<br />
Greencore AI unlocks<br />
the full potential<br />
But the system is capable of much<br />
more, and Greenflash provides its<br />
customers with software tools that<br />
allow them to see in detail how the<br />
intelligently controlled energy system<br />
works. For example, how it responds<br />
to peak loads, how it accesses the<br />
storage, and what happens in the<br />
case of atypical grid use. “One recent<br />
example: Giga Coating wanted to find<br />
out from the power utility whether<br />
better rates would be possible if<br />
they unloaded their stored energy<br />
from afternoon to evening in order<br />
to lower their consumption,” says<br />
Oklitz. “Our task was to implement<br />
this request in the system control.<br />
In cooperation with the power utility,<br />
which had to implement several<br />
Driving the world<br />
conversions, we quickly achieved that<br />
goal with Greencore AI.”<br />
The handling of atypical grid use<br />
is already fully integrated in Greencore<br />
AI, including the visualization<br />
of mixed operation with the storage<br />
system. Numerous additional functions<br />
of the new software are still<br />
under development, some of which<br />
Leading through innovation<br />
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Drive technology for your applications <strong>–</strong> modular, seamless, and scalable. The MOVI-C® modular<br />
automation system is your one-stop shop for every automation task.<br />
One manufacturer, one end-to-end complete solution - with services, hardware, and software,<br />
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<strong>GRE<strong>EN</strong></strong> <strong>EFFICI<strong>EN</strong>T</strong> <strong>TECHNOLOGIES</strong> 20<strong>25</strong><br />
SEW_MOVI-C_148x210_<strong>EN</strong>.indd 1 02.10.20<strong>25</strong> 09:24:37<br />
31
Energy-efficient production<br />
have already proven their potential<br />
in the field with pilot customers like<br />
Giga Coating and System Trailers. For<br />
example, the learning system reliably<br />
predicts consumption, and also displays<br />
all relevant data such as production,<br />
consumption, delivery, and<br />
procurement. “The forecast data for<br />
production and consumption allows<br />
us to control all processes so that the<br />
energy costs for our customers are<br />
always within the optimum range,”<br />
sums up Lennart Oklitz.<br />
Further expansion planned<br />
Fig. 3: : Inside the 20-foot container, in which the modular energy storage system from<br />
STABL is installed; one can clearly see the individual battery modules, which in this solution<br />
consist of electric car batteries that were never used in vehicles. Image: Greenflash GmbH<br />
The two companies in the Emsland<br />
region are already well on their way<br />
to a greener power supply. Giga Coating<br />
and System Trailers are planning<br />
to install further energy storage systems,<br />
to become even more self-sufficient,<br />
and to increase electrification,<br />
for example by using high-temperature<br />
heat pumps. Lennart Oklitz is<br />
convinced that companies with energy-intensive<br />
production processes<br />
can benefit tremendously from the<br />
transformation to renewable energies<br />
by using an intelligent, comprehensive<br />
energy system: “That it works<br />
and provides tangible benefits is<br />
apparent in the case of our pilot customers<br />
for Greencore AI in a way that<br />
sometimes even surprises us. The<br />
potential is enormous.”<br />
The Autor:<br />
Fig. 4: The graphic shows how the AI-based software Greencore AI from Greenflash is<br />
integrated in the intelligent energy system.<br />
Image: Greenflash GmbH<br />
Hendrik Knese<br />
Technical Sales Representative<br />
Greenflash GmbH<br />
Limbecker Platz 1<br />
45127 Essen, Germany<br />
E-Mail: info@greenflash.de<br />
www.greenflash.de<br />
32 <strong>GRE<strong>EN</strong></strong> <strong>EFFICI<strong>EN</strong>T</strong> <strong>TECHNOLOGIES</strong> 20<strong>25</strong>
Companies - Innovations - Products<br />
Bosch commissions its first in-house<br />
electrolyzer with Hybrion electrolysis<br />
stacks<br />
Inauguration of the hydrogen landscape at Bosch’s Bamberg plant<br />
<strong>–</strong> Bosch Hybrion PEM electrolysis stacks produce hydrogen<br />
in real operation<br />
<strong>–</strong> 2.5-megawatt electrolyzer produces up to 1 metric ton of<br />
hydrogen daily<br />
<strong>–</strong> Hydrogen landscape in Bamberg showcases Bosch systems and<br />
solutions along the H 2 value chain<br />
<strong>–</strong> Markus Heyn: “The official start of operations for our electrolyzer<br />
and the opening of the hydrogen landscape mark an important<br />
milestone for us.”<br />
Stuttgart and Bamberg, Germany <strong>–</strong> Hydrogen is on the advance<br />
at Bosch: after officially launching Hybrion PEM electrolysis stacks<br />
(PEM = proton exchange membrane) in March, Bosch has now put<br />
two of them into operation in an electrolyzer at its Bamberg site. With<br />
a total output of 2.5 megawatts, it converts water into hydrogen and<br />
oxygen using renewable electricity <strong>–</strong> and meets the EU’s requirements<br />
for renewable hydrogen. At the same time, the commissioning of the<br />
electro lyzer in Bamberg marks the start of a new chapter: it is part<br />
of an entire hydrogen landscape built to demonstrate various ways<br />
of producing, storing, and using hydrogen. “Hydrogen plays a central<br />
role in a climate-neutral world, which is something we’re committed to<br />
achieving as a society in Germany and Europe, and it’s an ideal energy<br />
source. It can be produced, stored, and transported almost anywhere,<br />
and in a climate-neutral way. For Bosch, hydrogen continues to be a<br />
strategically important business,” says Dr. Markus Heyn, member of<br />
the Bosch board of management and chairman of the Mobility business<br />
sector. “The official start of operations for our electrolyzer and the<br />
opening of the hydrogen landscape here in Bamberg mark an important<br />
milestone for us.”<br />
At the heart of the electrolyzer, which was built by FEST, a company<br />
based in Goslar, Germany, are two Bosch Hybrion electrolysis stacks<br />
manufactured in Bamberg. Each of these stacks has an output of<br />
1.<strong>25</strong> megawatts and produces around 23 kilograms of hydrogen per<br />
hour from water and electricity. At full load, the electrolyzer can produce<br />
more than 1 metric ton of hydrogen daily. That’s enough fuel<br />
for an electric 40-ton truck fitted with a Bosch fuel-cell power module<br />
(FCPM) to travel up to 14,000 kilometers.<br />
The Bamberg hydrogen landscape features just such an FCPM,<br />
equipped with a Bosch fuel-cell stack, in continuous operation inside a<br />
“lifetime container” with a view to testing the module’s durability. The<br />
hydrogen to power the FCPM flows into the container from the electrolyzer<br />
via a pipeline network. Here, the hydrogen-producing process that<br />
previously ran in the PEM electrolysis stacks is now reversed: hydrogen<br />
and oxygen are fed into the FCPM’s fuel-cell stacks, where they react to<br />
produce water and electrical energy. The electricity generated by the<br />
FCPM flows back into the electrolyzer, where it is used both to test the<br />
electrolyzer and to produce hydrogen locally. These around-the-clock<br />
tests inside the lifetime container simulate a wide range of usage scenarios<br />
to ensure the durability and reliability of the FCPMs. Large-scale<br />
production of the FCPM started in Bosch’s Stuttgart-Feuerbach plant<br />
in mid-2023. It was recently nominated for the prestigious German<br />
President’s Future Prize. “Bosch can do hydrogen, and at scale,” says<br />
Thomas Pauer, the president of the Power Solutions division. “We got<br />
involved in the area at an early stage, made upfront investments, and<br />
are now offering market-ready technical solutions. That includes our<br />
fuel-cell power module. The fact that it was nominated for the German<br />
Future Prize proves that this Bosch technology is at the cutting edge.<br />
And that applies both to the fuel cells and to the electrolysis.”<br />
Bamberg also has a second test station for the Hybrion PEM electrolysis<br />
stacks manufactured at the plant there. Before delivering stacks<br />
to customers, this is where Bosch ensures that they reliably achieve<br />
their performance and efficiency under real operating conditions. For<br />
example, various load profiles are simulated to test the reaction of<br />
each stack to electrical fluctuations. In addition, every Hybrion stack is<br />
activated before delivery so that it is immediately ready for use at the<br />
customer’s premises. Another feature of the hydrogen landscape is the<br />
21-meter-high hydrogen tank, in which hydrogen from electrolysis can<br />
be stored at up to 50 bar.<br />
Bosch has already reached its first milestones in electrolysis technology<br />
in 20<strong>25</strong>. Following the market launch in the spring, deliveries have<br />
begun to various customers and partners, including companies such<br />
as IMI, Kyros Hydrogen Solutions, Neumann & Esser, Pietro Fiorentini,<br />
and the latter’s subsidiary Hyter.<br />
Robert Bosch GmbH<br />
Robert-Bosch-Platz 1<br />
70839 Gerlingen-Schillerhöhe, Germany<br />
kontakt@bosch.de<br />
www.bosch.de<br />
Retrofitting earthing systems:<br />
a breeze with the DEHN earth rod set<br />
Performance and efficiency tests ensure that every Hybrion stack manufactured in<br />
Bamberg complies with Bosch’s high quality standards.<br />
Image: Bosch<br />
Retrofitting earthing systems in existing buildings poses challenges<br />
for owners and specialised companies. A functioning earthing system<br />
is essential, especially when it comes to renovations, energy<br />
modernisations or the installation of photovoltaic systems, wall<br />
boxes and heat pumps. However, many existing buildings lack proof<br />
of standard-compliant earthing or use outdated systems such as<br />
water pipe networks. In addition, limited space, sealed surfaces and<br />
33
Companies - Innovations - Products<br />
difficulty accessing the soil often make conventional retrofitting a<br />
complex and costly undertaking. With the new D18014 earth rod<br />
set, DEHN provides a practical solution specially developed for the<br />
requirements of renovating existing buildings.<br />
To comply with standards, the electrical installation must be equipped<br />
with a functional earthing system that safely conducts fault currents<br />
to earth, thereby ensuring its safety and functionality. It protects<br />
people from hazards, such as lightning exposure, and prevents fires.<br />
In Germany, an earthing system is a standard requirement for electrical<br />
installations, especially in new buildings. But owners of existing<br />
buildings often deliberate on whether retro-fitting is mandatory when<br />
they embark on a renovation or modernisation project. Although there<br />
is no general obligation to renew the entire electrical installation in<br />
older buildings, newly installed or modified system components, such<br />
as technical extensions relating to renewable energies, must comply<br />
with the applicable safety and technical standards. The relevant standards<br />
for the installation of an earthing system are DIN VDE AR-N 4100<br />
and DIN 18014.<br />
The D18014 earth rod set from DEHN contains all the necessary components<br />
for the professional installation of earth rods and is particularly<br />
suitable for new buildings and existing buildings with limited soil<br />
Standardised, efficient and easy to<br />
install: The D18014 earth rod set from<br />
DEHN for retrofitting earthing systems<br />
<br />
Image: DEHN SE<br />
or minimal excavation possibilities.<br />
Whatever the season,<br />
the earth rod solution<br />
ensures and maintains stable<br />
earth resistance regardless of<br />
weather conditions or soil moisture.<br />
The set meets all relevant<br />
standards by complying with<br />
the requirements of DIN 18014<br />
and the applicable VDE specifications.<br />
Its versatility makes it<br />
suitable for a variety of applications,<br />
including partial renovations,<br />
selective upgrades,<br />
installation inside the building<br />
or a complete renewal of the<br />
earthing system.<br />
The set consists of five earth<br />
rods, each 1 metre long, to<br />
be inserted into the ground.<br />
A driving spike makes it easier to drive in the rods. The earth rods<br />
are connected to the connecting cable (round wire 8<strong>–</strong>10 mm or<br />
cable 16<strong>–</strong>50 mm 2 ) without a cable lug using a connection clamp. This<br />
establishes a secure connection between the earthing system and the<br />
main earthing busbar (MEB) of the electrical installation. For buildings<br />
with a foundation area of up to 200 m², two sets are required to meet<br />
the normative requirements. Installation involves minimal disruption<br />
of existing outdoor facilities. Only two small excavation sites and wall<br />
bushings are necessary.<br />
Prevalon Energy and Emerson<br />
announce global strategic collaboration<br />
to deliver integrated power and<br />
energy storage solutions for data<br />
centers<br />
Strategic alliance combines advanced battery energy storage,<br />
automation, and control technologies to drive next-generation<br />
data center resilience and efficiency<br />
HPrevalon Energy LLC, a leader in integrated battery energy storage<br />
systems and Emerson, an industrial technology leader delivering<br />
advanced automation solutions, announced a strategic collaboration to<br />
deliver advanced, integrated energy solutions for the global data<br />
center industry.<br />
The collaboration brings together Prevalon’s HD5 Energy Storage<br />
Platform and insightOS Energy Management System with<br />
Emerson’s Ovation Automation Platform, creating a unified approach<br />
to energy resilience, grid reliability, and system intelligence. Together,<br />
the companies will support hyperscale, colocation, and enterprise data<br />
centers in achieving the highest levels of performance, uptime, and<br />
sustainability.<br />
“Our alliance with Emerson marks an important milestone in the evolution<br />
of data center energy systems,” said Tom Cornell, President and<br />
Chief Executive Officer of Prevalon Energy. “By integrating our storage<br />
and energy management platforms with Emerson’s proven power<br />
plant control technologies, we’re empowering data centers to achieve<br />
unmatched reliability and efficiency in a rapidly electrifying digital<br />
economy.”<br />
“This collaboration unites two complementary technologies to transform<br />
how power is produced, stored, and delivered to mission-critical<br />
data center operations,” said Michael McManus, Chief Strategy Officer<br />
at Prevalon Energy. “Together, we’re building the resilient, intelligent<br />
infrastructure that the global data center community depends on.”<br />
“We are excited to join forces with Prevalon Energy to redefine how<br />
data centers manage and optimize their energy. By combining<br />
Emerson’s deep industry expertise and innovative automation technologies<br />
with Prevalon’s advanced energy storage solutions, we are<br />
enabling data centers worldwide to achieve unprecedented levels of<br />
DEHN SE<br />
Hans-Dehn-Str. 1<br />
92318 Neumarkt, Germany<br />
info@dehn.de<br />
www.dehn.de<br />
Prevalon’s HD5 Platform delivers 5 MWh of liquid-cooled, factory-tested performance<br />
— a fully integrated, U.S.-built energy storage system engineered for safety,<br />
reliability, and scalability<br />
34
Companies - Innovations - Products<br />
efficiency, resilience, and sustainability,” said Bob Yeager, president<br />
of Emerson’s power and water solutions business. “This collaboration<br />
reflects our commitment to delivering integrated technologies<br />
that meet the demands of a rapidly evolving digital economy. We are<br />
turning the vision of fully integrated, next-generation energy systems<br />
into reality for the global data center industry.”<br />
Through this teaming agreement, Prevalon and Emerson will jointly<br />
pursue opportunities to integrate advanced control, automation, and<br />
energy storage systems for data center clients worldwide. The companies<br />
will coordinate marketing, development, and customer engagement<br />
initiatives to accelerate the adoption of next-generation energy<br />
technologies into data center applications.<br />
For more information, visit<br />
PrevalonEnergy.com and Emerson.com<br />
HOERBIGER supplies three<br />
HCP 500 Hydrogen Compressor Packages<br />
for Hamburg Green Hydrogen<br />
Hub in Germany<br />
The Hamburg Green Hydrogen Hub (HGHH) plans to build a new<br />
105-megawatt hydrogen plant on the site of the former Moorburg<br />
coal-fired power plant by 2027. The aim is to produce green hydrogen<br />
for a wide range of applications in mobility and industry.<br />
The German company Kraftanlagen Energies & Services has been commissioned<br />
to build the infrastructure around the electrolyzer. Kraftanlagen,<br />
in turn, has entrusted HOERBIGER with the delivery of three HCP<br />
500 Hydrogen Compressor Packages.<br />
Kraftanlagen has decades of experience in energy technology and<br />
plant engineering and has successfully implemented numerous hydrogen<br />
projects in recent years.<br />
At the heart of the HGHH is the HCP 500 Hydrogen Compressor Package<br />
from HOERBIGER, which ensures safe, reliable and cost-effective hydrogen<br />
compression for large scaled hydrogen applications such as trailer<br />
filling. Users benefit from an innovative and compact design as a turn key<br />
solution with fast filling capacities. With a high degree of standardization,<br />
the HCP 500 is optimized for the lowest total cost of ownership (TCO).<br />
As the technology leader for the next generation of efficient hydrogen<br />
compressor packages with more than 130 years of experience in<br />
compression, HOERBIGER is driving the industrialization of hydrogen<br />
industry and mobility applications.<br />
HCP 500 <strong>–</strong> flexible solution for high mass flow hydrogen compression<br />
Utilizing Ariel Corporation’s KBH compressor, the high mass flow of<br />
the HCP 500 of over <strong>25</strong>0 kg/h makes the compressor package from<br />
HOERBIGER the ideal solution for trailer filling facilities and heavy-duty<br />
refueling stations, ensuring unmatched operational experiences for<br />
both stationary and intermittent operating conditions.<br />
The compressor package HCP 500 is featured by HOERBIGER’s leading<br />
components such as CP valves and sealing elements that guarantee<br />
high durability and availability as well as the Electric Stepless Capacity<br />
Control System <strong>–</strong> eHydroCOM, which offers unique controllability of<br />
the compressor flow rates in terms of efficiency and precision. The<br />
eHydroCOM allows a large operating window of the compressor which<br />
ensures perfect alignment with the requirements of the electrolysers<br />
and the attached trailer filling application.<br />
HOERBIGER Wien GmbH<br />
Seestadtstr. <strong>25</strong><br />
1220 Wien, Austria<br />
info@hoerbiger.com<br />
www.hoerbiger.com<br />
HORIBA introduces CCM/MEA<br />
Catalyst Coating Monitor XV-100<br />
Helping streamline the production of PEM 1 fuel cells and water<br />
electro lyzers, and reducing the cost of noble metal catalysts.<br />
HORIBA Jobin Yvon GmbH (hereinafter “HORIBA”), a leading provider<br />
of measuring and testing solutions for a wide range of applications,<br />
proudly announces the launch of the CCM/MEA 2<br />
catalyst coating<br />
monitor XV-100. This groundbreaking solution is designed to streamline<br />
the roll-to-roll coating 3 process of catalyst layers in PEM fuel cells<br />
and electrolyzers, which are key technologies in the transition to a<br />
hydrogen-powered, carbon-neutral society.<br />
In recent years, hydrogen has been attracting attention as an important<br />
energy source, and demand for fuel cells and water electro lyzers is<br />
growing rapidly. However, towards realizing a carbon-neutral society,<br />
many challenges have been emerging in the hydrogen market, which is<br />
experiencing accelerated technical development worldwide. One such<br />
challenge is improving the performance of PEM fuel cells and water<br />
electrolyzers, which rely heavily on noble metal catalysts, such as platinum<br />
and iridium. This has a high-cost burden and leads to problems in<br />
controlling the amount of coating applied or the thickness of the metal.<br />
The XV-100 provides optimization of the coating process and minimize<br />
material waste through non-destructive, non-contact, inline measurement<br />
during roll-to-roll processes. Leveraging HORIBA’s advanced<br />
35
Companies - Innovations - Products<br />
Optimise biogas production with the<br />
innovative BIO-ROXX mixing module<br />
from Wangen Pumps<br />
Unique mixer design delivers homogenous inoculum and efficiently<br />
removes solid bodies<br />
Optimising biogas production in an Anaerobic Digestion plant<br />
requires a perfect mix of liquid and dry feedstocks, the elimination of<br />
contaminants and solid bodies. The BIO-ROXX module from Wangen<br />
Pumps accelerates the fermentation process and increases the biogas<br />
yield by mixing solid and liquid phases to prepare the ideal inoculum,<br />
limiting air introduction to a minimum and removing solid bodies such<br />
as stones.<br />
CCM/MEA Catalyst Coating Monitor XV-100<br />
Image: HORIBA<br />
X-ray fluorescence (XRF) technology, the XV-100 delivers continuous,<br />
real-time monitoring of catalyst coating with an industry-leading<br />
response time as low as 0.01 seconds 4 . This enables precise control<br />
overcoating quantity and uniformity, directly contributing to higher<br />
production yields, improved quality control, and significant cost reductions.<br />
Even when multiple units are used in each process, centralized<br />
data measurement enables improvement of work efficiency and saves<br />
manpower. Furthermore, customizable engineering services are available,<br />
including the construction of a traverse mechanism 5 and the provision<br />
of data management solutions, allowing us to tailor our support<br />
to meet each customer's needs.<br />
Dr. Ingo Reese, Head of Sales at HORIBA Jobin Yvon GmbH, “to support<br />
pathing the way to a carbon neutral society we provide highly innovative<br />
measurement driven technology that supports our customers<br />
for all kinds of processes in order to intelligently generate, store,<br />
and use new energy sources such as hydrogen. With the new XV-100<br />
we extended our portfolio with a state-of-the-art solution for various<br />
kinds of coating process improving not only the efficiency of those processes<br />
itself but also the economic efficiency in terms of cost and time<br />
savings.”<br />
1<br />
Polymer Electrolyte Membrane.<br />
This electrolyzes water to produce hydrogen.<br />
2<br />
CCM: Catalyst Coated Membrane, MEA: Membrane Electrode<br />
Assembly. Both are critical components of PEM fuel cells and<br />
water electrolyzers.<br />
3<br />
A processing method in which a rolled base material is subjected to<br />
processing such as printing or coating, and then rolled up again.<br />
4<br />
As of February 20<strong>25</strong>. In an X-ray fluorescence analyzer (analysis by<br />
HORIBA, Ltd.). Results may vary depending on use and conditions.<br />
5<br />
A system of devices for moving an object to any position.<br />
HORIBA Jobin Yvon GmbH<br />
Hans-Mess-Str.6<br />
61440 Oberursel, Germany<br />
www.horiba.com<br />
Installed downstream of the dry substrate hopper and the liquid feeder<br />
and before the fermenter, the Wangen Pumps BIO-ROXX module<br />
delivers a homogeneous substrate that increases the decomposition<br />
rate in the Anaerobic Digestion plant and speeds up gas production.<br />
Ideal for plant sizes of 1-10 MW, the BIO-ROXX module is a real asset<br />
in bio methane production, where high gas purity must be attained to<br />
meet the grid’s standards.<br />
Improving biogas production<br />
The BIO-ROXX features a sealed mixing chamber combined with a discharge<br />
pump below the fill line, so no air can enter and compromise<br />
the Anaerobic Digestion process. The unique configuration of the mixing<br />
rods and blades inside the chamber ensures that organic solids<br />
are evenly suspended and diluted, enabling the anaerobic bacteria to<br />
thrive and convert the organic materials to biogas. The mixing process<br />
enhances the efficiency of the fermenter by reducing viscosity and<br />
preventing the formation of a 'float' layer, which occurs when larger,<br />
fibrous solids accumulate as a crust on top. By preventing floats and<br />
The new BIO-ROXX module from<br />
Wangen Pumps supports efficient biogas<br />
and biomethane generation by<br />
preparing the substrate, mixing solids<br />
and liquid together, and removing<br />
contaminants like stones and metal.<br />
assuring low viscosity levels, the<br />
BIO-ROXX maintains optimal gas<br />
production, reduces the energy<br />
consumption of mixers, and<br />
prevents damage to the paddles<br />
used for stirring the fermenter<br />
contents.<br />
Reliable contaminant removal<br />
Contaminants such as air can<br />
inhibit efficient biogas production.<br />
Stones, glass, wood, and<br />
bits of metal can settle at the<br />
base of a fermenter, reducing<br />
tank capacity over time. They<br />
can also cause damage, blockages,<br />
or breakages to pipelines,<br />
pumps, and other equipment.<br />
Organic substrates with a dry<br />
content of up to 18 % pass<br />
through the BIO-ROXX at a<br />
rate of more than 85 m 3 /h<br />
(22,484 gal/h). The dwell time in<br />
the unit enables solid contami<br />
36
Companies - Innovations - Products<br />
nants to gravitate to the bottom of the mixing chamber, where they are<br />
caught in a trap and can be safely expelled. This prevents solid bodies<br />
from entering the fermenter and avoids the need to empty the digestion<br />
tanks to remove them or repair damage.<br />
Highly adaptable technology<br />
The Wangen Pumps BIO-ROXX can process organic materials from<br />
a wide variety of sources, including straw, maize stalks, whole-crop<br />
silage, manure, and food waste. Where fibrous materials of more than<br />
30 cm in length are common in the substrate, the BIO-ROXX is often<br />
used in conjunction with a hammer mill, an extruder or a macerator<br />
for improved operational productivity.<br />
The BIO-ROXX, with its robust yet streamlined steel construction, is<br />
engineered to operate seamlessly in both mesophilic and thermophilic<br />
Anaerobic Digestion processes. It can deal with an inoculum of up to<br />
18 % dry matter content and is designed to perform reliably in harsh<br />
conditions, including high temperatures. Combined with its ability to<br />
handle a diverse and expanding range of substrates, these features<br />
make the BIO-ROXX an ideal choice for Anaerobic Digestion plants<br />
worldwide, offering a cutting-edge response to the evolving needs of<br />
the biogas industry.<br />
store liquid substrates. “Despite its size, the plant, with an annual processing<br />
capacity of 165,000 tonnes, will be built in just six months of<br />
pure construction time. Construction is proceeding according to plan<br />
and mechanical completion is scheduled for the end of this year,” says<br />
Tobias Gerweler, Managing Director of WELTEC BIOPOWER. “The decision<br />
not to use grass silage was a conscious one, so that we would not<br />
be competing with the livestock industry,” Patrick Meade continues.<br />
A combined heat and power plant (CHP) installed on site generates<br />
around 1 megawatt of power for the operation of the plant and supplies<br />
heat for the digesters.<br />
Hourly production of 1,300 cubic metres of biomethane<br />
Three rotating long-axis agitators and three submersible motor agitators<br />
in the tanks support the effective digestion of the substrate mix.<br />
The biogas is collected in the digesters with double-membrane roofs<br />
and processed into biomethane using membrane technology. It then<br />
enters the public gas grid 20 metres away via the feed-in point. Once<br />
commissioned, the plant will produce around 1,300 standard cubic<br />
metres of biomethane per hour <strong>–</strong> equivalent to around 110 GWh of<br />
energy per year. The annual output of 65,000 tonnes of digestate is<br />
stored in a covered concrete lagoon and delivered to farmers separately<br />
as liquid and solid fractions.<br />
Find more information about Wangen Pumps BIO-ROXX module here:<br />
www.wangen.com/de/produkte/bio-roxx-1148<br />
Pumpenfabrik Wangen GmbH<br />
Simoniusstr. 17<br />
88239 Wangen, Germany<br />
mail@wangen.com<br />
www.wangen.com<br />
Ireland: WELTEC BIOPOWER<br />
bio methane plant to go into operation<br />
in mid-2026<br />
Biomethane from beer and whiskey industry residues<br />
German manufacturer WELTEC BIOPOWER is currently building<br />
a biomethane plant for the Irish company Evergreen Agricultural<br />
Enterprises Limited. The plant at the company’s headquarters in<br />
Monasterevin, County Kildare, will go into operation in mid-2026<br />
after a total construction period of 11 months. The location offers<br />
the operator logistical advantages, among other things: “On the<br />
one hand, it is well connected to the M7 motorway. In addition,<br />
the national gas network for direct biomethane feed-in is in the<br />
immediate vicinity,” emphasises Patrick Meade, Managing Director<br />
of Evergreen.<br />
By 2030: 5.7 terawatt-hours of biomethane per year<br />
“The fact that German manufacturer WELTEC BIOPOWER was awarded<br />
the contract to build the largest plant in Ireland to date was due not<br />
only to the technical advantages mentioned above, but also to the<br />
short delivery times,” emphasises Managing Director Patrick Meade.<br />
This will also enable Ireland to achieve its ambitious expansion<br />
targets for biomethane production: the government aims to produce<br />
5.7 terawatt-hours (TWh) of biomethane annually by 2030. To achieve<br />
this, existing biogas plants for biomethane processing would have to<br />
be expanded, and technically mature plants such as the one built by<br />
Evergreen in Kildare would have to be planned and constructed.<br />
WELTEC BIOPOWER GmbH<br />
Zum Langenberg 2<br />
49377 Vechta, Germany<br />
info@weltec-biopower.de<br />
www.weltec-biopower.com<br />
No competition with feed production for use of input materials<br />
The € 50 million project comprises four digesters and one stainless-steel<br />
secondary digester, each with a volume of 4,900 cubic<br />
metres. These are mainly used to ferment production residues and<br />
by-products from the Irish beer and whiskey industry. The materials<br />
are readily available and do not compete with feed production, as<br />
they are unsuitable for animal feed. Three additional tanks are used to<br />
German manufacturer WELTEC BIOPOWER is currently building a biomethane<br />
plant for the Irish company Evergreen Agricultural Enterprises Limited.<br />
37
Brand name register<br />
BAUER KOMPRESSOR<strong>EN</strong> GmbH<br />
Stäblistr. 8<br />
81477 München/Germany<br />
Phone: +49 (0)89 78049-0<br />
Fax: +49 (0)89 78049-167<br />
E-mail: industrie@bauer-kompressoren.de<br />
Website: www.bauer-kompressoren.de<br />
BAUER KOMPRESSOR<strong>EN</strong> is one of the leading<br />
manufacturers of medium and high-pressure system<br />
for the compression of air and gases worldwide.<br />
- Medium and high-pressure compressors<br />
- <strong>25</strong> <strong>–</strong> 500 bar, 2.2 <strong>–</strong> 315 kW<br />
- Air and gas treatment<br />
- Storage systems<br />
- Air and gas distribution<br />
- Gas measurement systems<br />
- Controls<br />
For current trade fairs please visit:<br />
www.bauer-kompressoren.de/<br />
news-events/trade-show-dates/<br />
KAMAT GmbH & Co. KG<br />
Salinger Feld 10<br />
58454 Witten/Germany<br />
Phone: +49 (0)2302 8903-0<br />
E-mail: info@KAMAT.de<br />
Website: www.KAMAT.de<br />
High pressure plunger pumps + systems<br />
Mining pumps + systems<br />
Process pumps + Systems<br />
Water hydraulic pumps + Systems<br />
Operating pressures up to 4000 bar<br />
Flow rates up to 10,000 l/min<br />
Systems in mobile and stationary design<br />
KAMAT valve technology and water tools<br />
For KAMAT‘S current global trade fair<br />
partipcipations, visit<br />
https://www.kamat.de/en/information-centre/trade-fairs/<br />
We are looking forward to your visit!<br />
NETZSCH Pumpen & Systeme GmbH<br />
Geretsrieder Str. 1<br />
84478 Waldkraiburg/Germany<br />
Phone: +49 (0)8638 63-0<br />
E-mail: info.nps@netzsch.com<br />
Website:<br />
www.pumps-systems.netzsch.com<br />
As a specialist for complex fluid handling,<br />
NETZSCH develops customised and sophisticated<br />
pump solutions on a global level. The product<br />
spectrum ranges from the industry’s smallest<br />
metering pumps to high-volume pumps for<br />
applications in the oil & gas or mining industries.<br />
NETZSCH offers NEMO ® progressing cavity pumps,<br />
TORNADO ® rotary lobe pumps, NOTOS ® multi screw<br />
pumps, PERIPRO ® peristaltic pumps, grinders, dosing<br />
technology and barrel emptying units, accessories<br />
and service.<br />
For current trade fairs, please visit:<br />
www.pumps-systems.netzsch.com/<br />
en/events<br />
SEEPEX GmbH<br />
Scharnhölzstr. 344<br />
46240 Bottrop/Germany<br />
Phone: +49 (0)2041 996-0<br />
E-mail: info@seepex.com<br />
Website: www.seepex.com<br />
SEEPEX is one of the leading worldwide specialists in<br />
the field of pump technology.<br />
Our portfolio comprises progressive cavity pumps,<br />
pump systems, and digital solutions.<br />
Our pumps are used wherever low to highly viscous,<br />
aggresive or abrasive media must be conveyed at<br />
low pulsation rates.<br />
Please visit our website for<br />
upcoming exhibitions<br />
www.seepex.com<br />
SEW-EURODRIVE GmbH & Co KG<br />
Ernst-Blickle-Str. 42<br />
76646 Bruchsal/Germany<br />
Phone: +49 (0)7<strong>25</strong>1 75-0<br />
Fax: +49 (0)7<strong>25</strong>1 75-1970<br />
E-mail: sew@sew-eurodrive.de<br />
Website: www.sew-eurodrive.com<br />
SEW-EURODRIVE is one of the global market leaders<br />
in drive technology and automation.<br />
The company has 17 production plants and 92 Drive<br />
Technology Centres in 56 countries.<br />
The company was founded in 1931.<br />
The headquarters are located in Bruchsal, Germany.<br />
Turnover in the 2023 financial year totalled over<br />
4.5 billion euros.<br />
Around 22,000 employees work for<br />
SEW-EURODRIVE.<br />
Current trade fair dates can be found<br />
on the website<br />
www.sew-eurodrive.de/trade-shows<br />
We are looking forward to your visit!<br />
VEGA Grieshaber KG<br />
Am Hohenstein 113<br />
77761 Schiltach/Germany<br />
Phone: +49 (0) 7836 50-0<br />
E-mail: info.de@vega.com<br />
Website: www.vega.com<br />
Product portfolio:<br />
As one of the world’s leading suppliers of level and<br />
pressure sensors, VEGA offers precise measurement<br />
technology that meets the stiff requirements of the<br />
hydrogen industry. Our 2,600 employees in more<br />
than 85 countries are at your side to find the right<br />
solution for your application.<br />
Reference Exhibitions:<br />
www.vega.com/en-de/company/<br />
news-and-events/exhibitions<br />
Index of Advertisers<br />
BAUER KOMPRESSOR<strong>EN</strong> GmbH page 27<br />
Filtech Exhibitions Germany GmbH & Co. KG page 19<br />
GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft <br />
4. Cover page<br />
IVS <strong>–</strong> Industrial Valve Summit<br />
3. Cover page<br />
KAMAT GmbH & Co. KG page 21<br />
NETZSCH Pumpen & Systeme GmbH page 13<br />
SEEPEX GmbH<br />
Cover page<br />
SEW-EURODRIVE GmbH & Co. KG page 31<br />
VEGA GmbH<br />
2. Cover page<br />
38
EnErgy-EfficiEnt<br />
and SuStainablE<br />
SolutionS<br />
GEA provides turnkey refrigeration and heating systems, customized<br />
solutions, compressors and compressor packages, chillers, controls, and<br />
heat pumps that meet precise temperature requirements. Comprehensive<br />
service programs and digital products support our customers throughout<br />
the entire lifecycle of their systems and equipment to ensure peak<br />
performance.<br />
Visit us!<br />
HeatExpo<br />
November <strong>25</strong><strong>–</strong>27, 20<strong>25</strong>, Dortmund