Renewable gases

Even though natural gas combined heat and power units may currently compare favourably with conventional technologies with an excellent carbon balance and low pollutant emissions, the future of CHP systems lies in the use of renewable gases. Supply reliability, coverage of the required residual load, energy provided locally and reduced workload on networks are essential attributes designed to serve the system but which must not depend on fossil fuels in the future to ensure decarbonisation in the transition towards climate neutrality. Renewable gases such as biogas, biomethane or hydrogen are suitable for this purpose and are already used in Mephisto CHP units to supply electricity and heat today.

Biomethane

All our modules can be operated with biomethane. Biomethane refers to biogas which is fed into the general gas network after suitable treatment. In this way, Mephisto combined heat and power units can also be operated with a carbon-neutral fuel when there is no adjacent direct connection to a biogas plant, as is the case in urban areas.

Biogas

Biogas can also be used with our units. Until now, our biogas CHP units have mainly been used in Switzerland thanks to the favourable framework conditions there; however, they are also being increasingly used in Germany. We will gladly check your particular biogas project to see if it is viable and cost-efficient.

Hydrogen

Hydrogen is a great hope as a future energy storage medium and can be produced using renewable energies, making it largely climate-neutral. Our combined heat and power units are already designed to operate using a hydrogen admixture of up to 20 percent today, meaning they are H2-ready now. We have taken on the technological challenge of gradually increasing the proportion of hydrogen to 100 percent and are already successfully testing this in model projects.

Gas network transformation

Gas fuels are a cornerstone of our energy system. If we wish to achieve greenhouse gas neutrality, it is essential to transform gas supply towards renewable gases such as hydrogen or biomethane. However, an effective, functional gas infrastructure will still be necessary in the future to transport these climate-neutral gases to where they are needed. In terms of cost-effective transformation, the existing gas network thus constitutes the ideal starting point which should be utilised on the path towards a climate-neutral future.

CHP – The backbone of energy transition

Highly flexible CHP systems meet all requirements to play a role in a renewable energy system with an environmental compatible approach. Carbon-intensive fuels are steadily diminishing in importance. Combined heat and power units are a key instrument in energy transition, driven by renewable gases such as biomethane and used strategically to provide necessary residual load. Controllable and stabilising as providers of both electricity and heat, this technology will form the backbone of energy supply, counterbalancing unpredictable generation from wind and solar sources. Expensive, optimum-grade renewable fuels are transformed with utmost efficiency, minimising losses and ensuring the resilience of electricity and heat supply.

Sector coupling

As part of energy transition, combined heat and power units are increasingly being used for residual load generation and are a crucial component for successful sector coupling.

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CHP unit and heat pump

he combination between heat pumps and combined heat and power units brings technical, environmental and financial benefits in many cases.

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