Chemical storage

In redox flow batteries, power and energy can be scaled independently of each other. This means that the long-life batteries can easily be used in different positions in the power grid, for example in the emergency power supply or as load balancers in the distribution grid. Our goal is to increase the efficiency of these storage units and to use them optimally in the environment of regenerative energy generation.

Power-to-gas and microbiological methanation

Power-to-gas technology converts electricity into hydrogen by electrolysis. Since a lot of energy has to be used to store hydrogen, it is then converted into methane microbiologically (microbiological methanation). This technology is particularly suitable for storing and using surplus electricity from fluctuating renewable energies. Furthermore, biomethane can be used and stored directly in the existing gas grid, as it has the same chemical properties as fossil natural gas. Thus, the gas grid can be gradually transformed to be climate neutral. Biomethane is also suitable as a fuel.

Together with the Technical University of Deggendorf (THD), we have established an operational laboratory/technical center at TZ Energie, under the scientific direction of Prof. Dr. Raimund Brotsack (THD) with accompanying acquisition of initial research projects at both regional and international level.

Our research focuses on different areas:

Improvement of conversion processes: We investigate the behavior of different microorganisms in different media to improve the efficiency of conversion processes from hydrogen and carbon dioxide to biomethane. We use biogenic residues and waste materials for this purpose. In this way, there is no competition with food production, while resources that are otherwise not used or not used efficiently are utilized energetically.

Simulation: Using simulation programs, we calculate ideal operation modes for the production of biomethane. We also consider the potential of power-to-gas in cities in communities, based on real data on production and consumption of renewable electricity and availability of biogenic residues and waste.

Pyrolysis: Methane pyrolysis splits methane into hydrogen and solid carbon. If the latter is stored permanently, the hydrogen is climate neutral. The pyrolysis of biomethane is also a carbon capture and storage technology - the CO2 was previously captured from the air by the plants and then split off and permanently stored in the pyrolysis process.

Production of biomethane from sunlight: In the Photo2Fuel project, we are developing a process to produce methane directly from sunlight.

Biogas and biomethane

Another focus is on the chemical conversion of biogas into liquid biomethane. In this process, the climate gas carbon dioxide is reduced with hydrogen to form usable energy carriers methane or methanol. These technologies make an important contribution to reducing the rise in CO2 in the earth's atmosphere.We have developed a process for this chemical conversion, which we are now further optimizing. Liquid biomethane offers significant advantages over biogas: it can be stored much more effectively, is easier to transport, and is thousands of times more energetic in terms of volume.