DanuP-2-Gas: Innovative model to drive energy security and diversity in the Danube Region via combination of bioenergy with surplus renewable energy

Duration: 07/2020 – 12/2022

Summary

The Danube Region holds huge potential for sustainable generation and storage of renewable energy. However, to date this region is highly dependent on energy imports, while energy efficiency, diversity and renewables share are low. In line with the EU climate targets for 2030 and the EUSDR PA2 targets DanuP-2-Gas will support transnational energy planning by strengthening generation and storage strategies for renewables in the Danube Region via advanced sector coupling technologies.

DanuP-2-Gas will bring together energy agencies, business actors, public authorities and research institutions through the Danube Energy Platform, based on the platform developed during DTP project ENERGY BARGE (energy-barge.eu).

The Danube Energy Platform is the foundation where stakeholders will be brought together and provided with all developed tools including the existing tools from the predecessor project. The infrastructure and biomass assessment, covering the Danube Region, will identify suitable locations for sector coupling hubs along the Danube River for combination of two idle resources. Unused organic residue (e.g. straw, animal manure, organic waste) will be processed to biochar for easy transport and as basis for synthesis gas generation. Additional hydrogen produced from surplus renewable energy sources (e.g. via electrolysis) allows to upgrade this syngas to renewable natural gas using biologic methanation. In this way the renewables will be diversified and surplus energy can be stored in the existing gas-grid increasing energy security and efficiency.

A GIS based information tool for the Danube Region that will give the users basal basic information about key elements required to realize the technological aspects of the proposed concept will be developed. In combination with the corresponding optimization tool for effective plant design this will result in valuable resources eliminating initial analysis for future investors. The cooperation of various stakeholder groups will additionally be fostered through joint trainings imparting user expertise.

The legal framework influencing the described storage concept will also be assessed on national level to develop a unified transnational strategy including roadmaps for simplified implementation. Finally, effective knowledge transfer will be ensured via workshops elaborating future piloting projects and business models with interested stakeholders and informing about potential exploitable subsidies.

DanuP-2-Gas is the joint effort of 14 partners from 10 countries across the Danube Region. The project builds strongly on pre-existing work to introduce a transnational storage strategy for renewable energy, underlining its economic feasibility and providing useful tools for implementing the concept.

Overall budget:           2.553.726,85 EUR

ERDF Contribution     2.109.336,02 EUR

IPA Contribution              61.331,75 EUR

http://www.interreg-danube.eu/approved-projects/danup-2-gas

List of Project Partners:

Contact: Tim Bieringer, Technology Centre Energy, University of Applied Sciences Landshut

Wiesenweg 1, D-94099 Ruhsdorf a. d. R., Tim.Bieringer@haw-landshut.de

About the Project:
Project „Weltspeicher“ is operated by the Landshut University of Applied Sciences in cooperation with the Munich-based company VoltStorage. Headed by Prof Dr Karl-Heinz Pettinger and financed in the first round by The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) it will run until end of May 2021at the Energy Technology Centre (TZE) in Ruhstorf a.d.R.

Project Name:
“Weltspeicher auf Basis Fe/Fe-Redox-Flow“ (All-Iron Redox-Flow Battery Technology (IRFB) based Global Energy Storage System

Duration:
June 1, 2020 to May 5, 2021

Project Partner:
Energy Technology Centre (TZE) of the Landshut University of Applied Sciences
VoltStorage GmbH

Main Project Lead:
Prof. Dr. Karl-Heinz Pettinger

Funding for Landshut University of Applied Sciences:
134,000 €

Total Project Amount:
250,000 €

Funding by:
Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung

Program:
Directive on the promotion of a pilot Innovation competition for breakthrough innovations on the subject of global energy storage systems                  

Project description:

All Iron energy storage: A new cost effective storage technology “Made in Europe“ 

For both technology and economy, the applicants are to develop a trailblazing concept for the development of a global energy storage system based on All-Iron Redox-Flow Battery Technology (IRFB). The technology has been showing best prerequisites for the use of global energy storage systems. This is because the required materials are environment-friendly, inexpensive, and available across the globe. For the most part, they can be made of recyclable materials.  The 1-year project, therefore, aims at producing a detailed solution for the use of IRFB as a cost-efficient eco-friendly global energy storage system, hereby proving basic functionality. Throughout the funding period, laboratory experiments will be testing models and assumptions, as well as demonstrating technical developments. The preparatory concept stage is to generate a product close to serial production. Then, the project stage will be focusing on its design, construction, and optimization, allowing tests of the product in its respective environment. For standardization, in agreement with the other beneficiaries, standard comparative parameters for technical and economical target system specifications, such as standard load cycles, are to be worked out.

The project report completed at the end of the duration period will not only include a strategy for the potential industrialization of the system and comparison with other technologies, but will show the analyses of life cycles, materials and their origins, use of energy, as well as recycling instructions. The document will also state aspects of the storage system’s global market. Here, it will pay attention to location, modulation capability, and maintenance options in populated, low energy regions. It will include Germany, Europe as well as the entire planet.