The current draft of the Building Energy Act (GEG) remains the talk of the day and is causing uncertainty. What the industry association Zukunft Gas has to say about this.
The gas industry has called for greater consideration of CHP systems (combined heat and power) in the energy transition. Such systems, which generate both electricity and heat, can be used highly efficiently and flexibly, said the board member of the industry association Zukunft Gas, Timm Kehler, on Tuesday in Essen. “Above all, they are already able to generate electricity and heat with new gases, i.e. biomethane, hydrogen and its derivatives as well as synthesized methane.”
The current draft of the Building Energy Act (GEG) is causing a lot of uncertainty in the industry, Kehler continues. As a result, there are currently hardly any investments in CHP. “Although apparently open to technology, the law threatens to prevent the market entry of hydrogen technologies.” Although heating networks are taken into account in the design, a large number of restrictions and preconditions prevent the development of specific hydrogen applications.
Technically, combined heat and power has long since arrived in the hydrogen age. New plants are already suitable for use with new gases. “CHP offers municipalities the opportunity to decarbonize their local heat and electricity supply, regardless of the existing conditions,” emphasized the head of the association.
According to Zukunft Gas, the CHP share of electricity generation in Germany is around one fifth. The proportion for heat supply is also one fifth.
Source: Stern
