As soon as the wind power plants of EWE start to generate more electricity than is required, Papier- und Kartonfabrik Varel (PKV) turns it into steam. This is done by means of a new power-to-heat module , which is currently being tested there. In addition, the module can take electricity from the paper factory’s own power station. PKV uses the steam to supply the machines that dry paper webs. At the same time, PKV is integrated into the Enera Flexmarkt , a regional trading platform for electricity.

PKV has set itself the target of CO2-neutral production within a few years. The company’s power station is currently producing usable steam and electricity from natural gas, and it is doing so with an efficiency of 92%. The company is investing further in the modernization of its systems and wants to reduce the energy used per metric ton of paper by 23%.