RWE tests innovative storage solution

摘要

On 17 August RWE officially launched its power-to-gas plant in Ibbenburen, North Rhine Westphalia. The plant, described as 'state-of-the-art' technology, is part of a new system that for the first time links together the supply of local electricity, natural gas and district heating. Excess power from renewable sources is converted into hydrogen, stored within the natural gas network, and then when needed used in electricity production. The conversion process boasts an extremely high utilisation rate of 86%. This power-to-gas process is seen by RWE as one of the key technologies of future energy supply systems. "In order to be able to pick up excess electricity ... we need alternatives to conventional grid expansion methods. The benefit of this form of electricity storage is the enormous infrastructure already offered by the natural gas network - which has huge storage capacity and a high-performing network.