Project launch: DAC-2-E-Methane – storing surplus green electricity in e-methane

Chemically storing green electricity instead of curtailing it – this is possible with hydrogen and its derivatives. E-methane is a climate-neutral energy source once the carbon has been captured from the air. A project that has just been launched is exploring the technical possibilities.

Electricity from renewable sources is sometimes available in excess and has to be curtailed. The expansion of renewables will further exacerbate this effect. To store and transport this energy efficiently, green electricity is increasingly being used to produce hydrogen (H2). However, the expansion of the hydrogen infrastructure is not yet very advanced.

Green hydrogen can be converted into methane using carbon dioxide (CO2) captured from the air. This climate-neutral energy source can be fed into the existing natural gas grid without any problems. This means that the stored energy can be easily transported and is available for long-term use.

In the DAC-2-E-Methane cooperation project, ZBT and its partners are investigating an innovative solution for converting large quantities of electrical energy into methane. The project is researching the coupling of a direct air capture (DAC) plant with catalytic methane synthesis.

For the project, the consortium can draw on an existing methanation plant and a hydrogen electrolyser at the ZBT site in Duisburg. ‘With the project funding, ZBT will be able to strengthen its research and development portfolio in the field of power-to-gas and sector coupling technologies, building on the successful research work of previous projects,’ said Dr Ulrich Gardemann, project manager at ZBT. ‘In addition to plant design and the integration of process units, ZBT is focusing on optimising its proprietary methane synthesis.’ The DAC plant is to be installed by Greenlyte Carbon Technologies in early 2025.

Acht Personen stehen für ein Gruppenbild vor kleineren und großen Maschinen.

DAC-2-E-Methane is a flagship project that is helping to develop North Rhine-Westphalia into the most modern and climate-friendly industrial location in Europe. It is supported by numerous regional partners from the gas industry and their suppliers and customers, and is setting standards for the future energy industry.

The project is co-financed by the European Union and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia as part of the ERDF innovation competition ‘Energie.IN.NRW’.

Partners:


Press release on the launch of the DAC-2-E-Methane project (ger.)

Department Fuels and Processes

Einenige Ventile und Anschlüsse im Vordergrund und ca. 20 horizontale Rohre im Hintergrund.

Media

The recently launched DAC-2-E-Methane project is investigating the combination of direct air capture with methanisation. (click to enlarge) The recently launched DAC-2-E-Methane project is investigating the combination of direct air capture with methanisation. (click to enlarge)

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