Industry & commerce

Green power and green heat

If a production process is to be converted to function with a sustainable energy supply, it is necessary to analyze which energy sources are to be used with which technologies.

That depends on thermal requirements, cooling needs, and also on peaks in electricity and heat. In the case of electricity, it usually makes sense to combine photovoltaics (PV) with cogeneration plants that use renewable fuels. In high-temperature processes, electricity or biogenic fuels and green hydrogen produced by electrolysis can also be used. Green Power Purchase Agreements (Green PPAs) constitute a sustainable solution for supplying a production facility with green electricity. These power supply agreements are concluded between the operator of a photovoltaic or wind park and an industrial customer, and usually ensure the supply of sustainably generated electricity for a period of 20 years.

One variant for green heat is district heating networks. They can be fueled by solar thermal plants, biomass power plants, geothermal energy, waste-to-energy plants, or waste heat from industry, and supply customers with sustainably generated heat. Since these networks are always regional, there are also only minor losses during operation, and that has a favorable impact on both energy efficiency and the carbon footprint. The German government also continues to view heating networks as a lever for decarbonizing the heating market.