90 percent of our energy comes from fossil fuels – and we use more than half of that for space and process heating. At HANNOVER MESSE, GP JOULE is proving that it doesn’t have to be this way.

The company’s aim is to efficiently connect heating and energy production and move the entire network over to renewable energy. Key to this project are block-type thermal power stations (BTTPs), which generate both electricity and heat on site.

Distributed Plants to Play a Key Role

Many of these distributed power plants have arisen as a result of the strong development of renewable energy. In Germany today there are around 900 biogas plants. And their waste heat holds enormous potential.

For instance, it could even see the establishment of district heating networks that deliver surplus heat from plants to private households. Ideally, production, distribution, and consumption would form a system driven entirely by renewable energy.

Storage and Transportation Made Easy

An integral part of GP Joule’s approach is the conversion of electricity from renewable energy sources into hydrogen – by electrolysis. The benefit: hydrogen can be used as it is and is suitable for long-term storage. It is also versatile and easy to transport. Power plants simply turn it back into electricity or heating for industrial or private use when it is needed. Furthermore, conversion by electrolysis also produces reusable heat.

This not only has several advantages for the environment, but also for people. BTTP operators are able to use their plants more efficiently. And the public profits because the regional resources are not dependent on the global market, meaning their prices are more stable.

Communication and cooperation between all involved parties is vital. Businesses, farmers, and communities must work closely together from the outset. Indeed, this collaboration will play a decisive role in determining whether the energy system of the future comes to fruition at all.

At HANNOVER MESSE, GP JOULE uses its Integrated Energy Showcase to explain the concept. Visitors can find it at Stand L67, Hall 27 – at the heart of the Integrated Energy Plaza. Through augmented reality technology, the model shows the entire energy supply chain – including wind farms, biogas plants, storage facilities, and distributors.