Energy Hub Wilhelmshaven

Splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen takes more than just cutting-edge technology and smart ideas. It also takes pure water: in practice, 15-20 kilogrammes of the wet element produce one kilogramme of H₂, which is still a lot less than the 20 to 45 kilogrammes needed to produce petrol with a comparable energy content.

That’s why here at the ENERGY HUB, we are working on technologies to produce and provide pure water efficiently as well as on ways of making sure electrolytic splitting uses as little energy and is as eco-friendly as possible. Another reason why our region is the ideal location for green hydrogen: we get our climate-neutral energy straight from the North Sea, a centre of wind and power.

When it comes to the energy transition, we have another iron in the fire: waste heat. Around 50° C from energy intensive processes within the ENERGY HUB that for all intents and purposes would drift off into the atmosphere. As a synergetic effect, they are a perfect source of heat. In the production facilities of the paper and cardboard factory, for example. Or to heat entire city districts via a heating network. And to supply urban farming projects with energy to cultivate and harvest regional fruit and vegetables.

What if we used the oxygen in an oxy-fuel power station to power regional industry? Or redirected waste heat to heat factory halls? Using heat pumps to recover waste heat reduces a company’s costs and makes them less dependent on energy providers. Integrating supposed waste products into processes increases cost and energy efficiency. And acts as a model for regions around the world. An all-win situation.

Carbon dioxide is the enemy. For decades, people around the world have been trying to reduce their carbon footprints – after all, this gas is a massive contributor to climate change. Because there is too much of it in the atmosphere, we need to think about how we can get it back out of there, at least in large parts. Much like plants do during photosynthesis, we need to use carbon dioxide for our own good.

Because CO₂ is not just a threat, it’s also an opportunity: If it is recycled instead of being released into the atmosphere unfiltered, carbon dioxide provides carbon. An elemental component of life that also has existential meaning for the chemicals industry.

The German industry converts 21 million tonnes of carbon into products every year, for example to manufacture painkillers, artificial fertiliser, outdoor clothing and car tires. 90 percent of this carbon comes from fossil sources. Here, recycled carbon is a valuable and eco-friendly alternative to oil, coal and natural gas – and could also be used as fuel and in plastic production in future.