Log In Sign Up
News Wire / science

Biogas Fuel Cell Efficiency Reaches 74.2 Percent

MDR Aktuell Jülich 11d11d Impact 5

A startup is developing solid oxide fuel cells capable of operating at temperatures exceeding 600 degrees Celsius. The technology aims to store up to 200 terawatt-hours of renewable methane in existing pipelines, which could support the entire gas network for three months. Professor Ralph Peters, acting head of the Institute for Electrochemical Process Engineering at Forschungszentrum Jülich, expressed skepticism regarding the economic viability and cost-effectiveness of the solution. He noted that while the technical combination is interesting, its widespread adoption remains uncertain. Four installed Reverion systems have completed several thousand operating hours, but long-term reliability remains unproven for operators seeking electricity and heat. Access to the large gas grid in Germany is also limited by a low number of injection points for biogas utilization.

A startup is developing solid oxide fuel cells capable of operating at temperatures exceeding 600 degrees Celsius. The technology aims to store up to 200 terawatt-hours of renewable methane in existing pipelines, which could support the entire gas network for three months. Professor Ralph Peters, acting head of the Institute for Electrochemical Process Engineering at Forschungszentrum Jülich, expressed skepticism regarding the economic viability and cost-effectiveness of the solution. He noted that while the technical combination is interesting, its widespread adoption remains uncertain. Four installed Reverion systems have completed several thousand operating hours, but long-term reliability remains unproven for operators seeking electricity and heat. Access to the large gas grid in Germany is also limited by a low number of injection points for biogas utilization. Felix Fischer, a co-founder and managing director of the company, stated this is 10 percentage points higher than any gas or ammonia power plant regardless of scale. The technology allows the same amount of gas to deliver significantly more electricity. Fischer noted that efficiency is not the only advantage of the fuel cell system. Uskard, acting as interim head of the Institute for Electrochemical Process Engineering, noted that technical interest is high but reliability must be proven to plant operators. Challenges remain regarding access to the large gas network in Germany, specifically the limited number of injection points available for utilizing biogas.

Topics

fuel cells renewable energy methane storage

Developing

  1. 862d Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore.
  2. 862d Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.
  3. 862d Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est.
  4. 862d Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium.

Sources · 7 independent

MDR Aktuell

“A solid oxide fuel cell that works at temperatures of over 600 degrees Celsius. The advantage is not just how it works. In terms of storage, there is huge potential.”

MDR Aktuell

“die das Biogabe diese Brennstoffzelle deutlich... Weil die Anlagenbetreiber und auch die, die quasi den Strom und die Wärme nützen möchten, möchten natürlich zuverlässige Anlagen haben und das muss nachgewiesen werden.”

MDR Aktuell

“Im Feld demonstriert, dass wir mit Biogas zu Strom, und zwar tatsächlich heizwert des Gases, zu Strom ins Netz eingespeist, 74,2 Prozent, damit 10 Prozent Punkte besser als jedes Gas- und Amfkraftwerk, egal in welcher Größenordnung.”

MDR Aktuell

“Es ist ja sicherlich technisch gesehen eine interessante Kombination. Ob sich das in solchen Anlagen durchsetzt, ist die Frage.”

MDR Aktuell

“Die vier installierten Riverions auf Kosten kann es an, sagt etwa Prof. Alph Peters Theme, haben aber erst einige 1000 Betriebsstunden hinter sich.”

Unlock the full story

Get a Pro subscription or above to see the live story progression and the full list of independent sources confirming each event as they happen.

Log in to upgrade