A first step towards climate-neutral municipal heat supply.
DRESDEN, 17 October – At the Hydrogen Technology Expo (21–23 October) in Hamburg, AMBARtec will show how municipal utilities can run their combined heat and power plants (CHP) partially with hydrogen at low cost, thereby greatly reducing their CO2 emissions. This can be done by mixing hydrogen with natural gas. It works thanks to iron oxide hydrogen storage systems. No infrastructure conversion is required. Visitors to the AMBARtec stand in Hall 2, Stand E15, can find out how they can convert their power plants.

20% hydrogen without changing how energy is produced.
'You can add up to 20% hydrogen to natural gas without having to replace the gas engines you already have,' says Matthias Rudloff, the CEO of AMBARtec. 'Our iron oxide-based storage systems are not classified as hazardous materials, so there is no need for them to undergo lengthy approval procedures or to have additional special safety measures in place. Operators of CHP plants only need a discharging unit; the hydrogen is delivered to them in containers via iron nuggets.'

Keep operating costs stable
Adding a maximum of 20% hydrogen has only a very minor impact on operating costs. It is also possible to purchase low-cost hydrogen from AMBARtec's partner network, which is currently significantly cheaper than electrolysis hydrogen. This is recycled hydrogen from a closed-loop system: Numerous companies and research institutions produce hydrogen that is released into the environment unused for technological and economic reasons. AMBARtec's storage systems can absorb it and in this way the hydrogen can bei reused safely and cost-effectively.  

Achieving sustainability goals
The gradual conversion of municipal heat supply to climate-friendly hydrogen makes a substantial contribution to enabling cities and municipalities to meet their sustainability obligations. ‘By adding hydrogen in a first step, municipal energy suppliers can also gain initial experience with this energy source without fundamentally changing their operating procedures or requiring high investments. The iron nuggets are transported in conventional 20-foot containers by truck. This means that every municipal utility can be reached easily and quickly,’ says Matthias Rudloff, pointing out further advantages.  

About AMBARtec:  
AMBARtec AG, based in Dresden, is an innovation leader in the field of iron oxide-based hydrogen storage systems. The process consists of the reduction and oxidation of iron oxide or iron: During storage, the added hydrogen reduces the iron oxide storage medium. The vapor released in the process can be reused in electrolysis. During discharge, water vapour is added to the storage unit at the point of use. This causes the iron to oxidise, releasing hydrogen.

The results of multi-stage practical tests at the demonstration plant in Freiberg confirm the excellent energy balance of the entire process, from hydrogen production to storage unit filling, transport and discharge of the hydrogen. Optimum system integration of high-temperature electrolysis (SOEC) enables efficiencies of more than 80 per cent to be achieved. The possible applications of the AMBARtec storage system range from highly efficient energy storage to the safe transport of hydrogen, even over long distances, and hydrogen drives in shipping.

In collaboration with Rouge H2 Engineering AG, AMBARtec also offers an alternative process based on iron oxide nuggets to produce high-purity hydrogen from dirty gases such as blast furnace gases and synthesis gases from biogenic residues or sewage sludge. Together with CCS/U, this steam-iron process could make steelworks climate-neutral at a reasonable cost.

Press contact:  

Dr. Ines Bilas

AMBARtec AG

Head of Marketing and Communication

Phone:  +49 172 234 11 00

E-Mail: ines.bilas@ambartec.de

Website: www.ambartec.de