The power of green hydrogen
Hydrogen is a key element in the energy transition. It has the potential to decarbonize a vast variety of sectors, from shipping, heating and cooling to industrial applications. We at MAN Energy Solutions acknowledge the power of H2 and with our solutions and services, we are already covering all parts of the hydrogen economy today.
Prepared for change with the complete value chain of H2 and synthetic fuels
To reach carbon-neutrality in this generation, the world needs quick and efficient solutions. As a solution provider and general advisor on the question of decarbonization, we are ready to support the energy transition with full power. Our portfolio already covers the complete value chain of H2 from production to utilization – we are prepared for change.
Hydrogen can be produced from renewable energy in a climate-neutral way and forms the basis for the production of a variety of synthetic fuels through Power-to-X processes. We urgently need these alternative fuels to implement the energy transition, because they make renewable energy usable outside the electricity grids. In this way, CO2 emissions can also be reduced in those areas where direct electrification is not sensible or possible, such as international shipping. Hydrogen and Power-to-X thus form an important link for the sector coupling of power and heat generation, transport and industrial applications.Paving the way for a greener future
The production of hydrogen is the crucial first step in the value chain. H-TEC SYSTEMS, a German electrolysis-specialist, has been perfecting its technology for more than 20 years; MAN Energy Solutions recently acquired 99% of the company’s shares. H-TEC SYSTEMS offers PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane) electrolysers in the 225 kW to 1 MW range.
Together with MAN Energy Solutions, the company is now promoting the development of PEM electrolysers in the multi-megawatt range, which will also enable the use of the most pioneering electrolysers on an industrial scale.
Delivering a green future
To make CO2-neutral energy useful across all sectors, converting renewable electricity into storable and easy-to-handle fuels is crucial; the power-to-X process allows for just that. It is a transformation technology that converts renewable electricity into carbon-neutral, synthetic fuels, which can then be used in other sectors or be stored until needed. Among others, these fuels include synthetic natural gas (SNG), green ammonia and methanol.
MAN Energy Solutions is already a pioneer of power-to-X technology: in 2013, we commissioned the methanation reactor for Europe's first – and, at 6 MW, largest – power-to-gas plant. Currently, the e-gas plant in Werlte, Lower Saxony, supplies 1,500 gas-powered vehicles with climate-neutral fuel every year.
We have since consistently developed power-to-X technology and offer turnkey plants with a capacity of 50 MW and more. Such a plant can produce 14,500 tons of synthetic natural gas (SNG) per year, enough fuel for 470 natural-gas-powered, local-transport buses to each cover 60,000 kilometres CO2-neutrally.
As a leading provider of reactor technology, we furthermore offer sophisticated chemical-reactor systems to convert hydrogen into a broad variety of synthetic fuels, including synthetic methane, methanol and ammonia.
Solutions for hydrogen infrastructure
A viable hydrogen infrastructure requires that hydrogen is transportable from source to point of use. This can happen via pipeline, by road in gaseous tube trailers, as well as by rail or ship. In order to transport large volumes of hydrogen, it must be pressurized and delivered as a compressed gas. This is where our turbomachinery technology comes into play with MAN’s high-tech compressor solutions being capable of installation, for instance, in future H2 pipeline compressor-stations. Additionally, MAN Energy Solutions already has expertise in building turnkey, turbomachinery systems for large industrial plants that produce ammonia and methanol, both of which viable carriers for hydrogen.
The future is here
At MAN Energy Solutions, we are helping to shape the sustainability agenda and provide a clear path for you to achieve your goals. That’s why we believe in a broad field of application for H2 and synthetic fuels – whether applied to power-and-heat generation, shipping, steel or cement production, or other industries. No matter what vessel or plant you operate, our proven, fuel-flexible engines and solutions are future-proof and ready for the climate-neutral fuels of the future.
We cover all processing steps of the hydrogen economy under the umbrella of MAN Energy Solutions.
Latest news on hydrogen topics
New German CHP Plant to Save 50,000 Metric Tons of CO2 Annually
MAN Energy Solutions has commissioned the new, municipal (Stadtwerke) CHP (Combined Heat and Power) gas power-plant in Frankfurt (Oder). At a recent ceremony, Dr Uwe Lauber, CEO of MAN Energy Solutions, symbolically handed the plant over to Torsten Röglin, Managing Director of Stadtwerke Frankfurt (Oder), and René Wilke, the city’s Lord Mayor.
The CHP plant is powered by 5 × MAN 20V35/44G gas engines, which provide 51 MW of electrical energy as well as 50 MW of district heating. In addition, MAN has installed a hot-water boiler with a capacity of 20 MW, increasing the total thermal capacity of the plant to 70MW. Despite constant challenges due to the Covid-19 pandemic over the past two years, MAN and Stadtwerke Frankfurt (Oder) were able to complete the commissioning within the estimated schedule. The five engines have been test-run since mid-February of this year.
The new, gas-engine power plant replaces an older, soon-to-be-retired CHP plant, which has supplied electricity to around 33,000 households and commercial customers – as well as district heating to around 19,000 households and companies – locally since 1997. Previously, this plant was operated with both lignite and natural gas, while the new facility will supply the same distribution network with heat and electricity generated exclusively from the more climate-friendly natural gas.
Efficiency over 90%
“Through introducing this new plant, we will save up to 50,000 metric tons of CO2 annually in the future, thus ensuring the environmentally-friendly supply of heat and electricity to the Frankfurt (Oder) region,” said Torsten Röglin. “In the old power plant, around 60,000 tons of brown coal dust were burned annually. In contrast, the new plant not only exclusively uses natural gas, which is more climate-friendly, but is also particularly fuel-efficient with an overall efficiency of more than 90%.”
Stadtwerke Frankfurt (Oder) has invested a total of almost 60 million euros in the power plant, representing the company's largest investment project in the last 20 years.
“The military attack on Ukraine by the Russian government, which is contrary to international law, is currently causing many people to view natural gas sceptically as an energy source,” said Dr Lauber. “However, we have to separate the question of the origin of the raw material from that of the technology. Flexible, gas-fired power plants like the new combined-heat-and-power plant in Frankfurt are an indispensable technology on the way to the energy and heat transition. We need such facilities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, phase out coal, and partner renewable energies.”
Lauber continued: “With this new, combined-heat-and-power plant, Stadtwerke Frankfurt (Oder) is proving that cogeneration with district heating is a viable, long-term, economic concept for the immediate reduction of CO2 emissions that simultaneously ensures reliable electricity and heat supply to the local population.”
MAN Energy Solutions states that plant emissions can be reduced even further by operating the engines with a mixture of green hydrogen and natural gas, while completely climate-neutral operation is possible when operating with hydrogen-based, synthetic natural gas (SNG).
Gas engines ideal for district heating
The MAN 20V35/44G gas engines optimise the flexibility of the entire CHP plant. In combination with a 10,000 cubic-meter heat-storage facility, also newly built, waste heat from the engines can be stored when heat demand is low while continuing to generate electricity. This enables Stadtwerke Frankfurt (Oder) to react quickly and flexibly to price fluctuations in the electricity market. This is also supported by the high reaction speed of the MAN engines, which can reach full output in less than five minutes and easily cope with rapid load changes.
Post-commissioning, MAN Energy Solutions’ global after-sales brand – MAN PrimeServ – will continue as project partner and share maintenance duties with plant staff.
Documents
-
MAN_ES_PR_Frankfurt-Oder_ENG
Contact
Jan Hoppe
Head of Group Communication & Marketing
Group Communications & MarketingMAN Energy Solutions SEStadtbachstr. 186153 AugsburgGermany
Jan.Hoppe@man-es.com t +49 821 322 3126Available languages
- DE ·
- EN
Get notified about press releases
Related articles
-
Designing the engines of the future
The time is ripe for the sustainable engine solutions of the future. Here’s how MAN engineers are developing engines running on green fuels.
-
Sun and wind in Africa are the new oil
Why tapping Africa’s vast renewable energy resources would be an economic boom for the continent.
-
Here comes the green hydrogen boom?
The International Energy Agency’s Timur Gül on e-fuels and how we’ll bring them to scale.
-
The art of green hydrogen
For decades this company has been perfecting the tech that turns renewables into green hydrogen.
-
Making fuel from sunlight and air
This mini-refinery above the rooftops in Zurich captures carbon and solar power to create clean fuel.
-
Energy transition – concrete steps to combat climate change
Which future fuel solutions do we need to reach our climate goals? VDMA expert Matthias Zelinger on solutions towards global decarbonization.
-
Power-to-X
Power-to-X is the carbon-neutral energy storage and sector coupling technology of the future: Our actions within this decade will decide whether we are able to reach the ambitious goals of the Paris agreement.