Germany
Stationary Applications
In the field of domestic energy, the Callux lighthouse project is an NIP mainstay. (The name Callux is made up of the Latin words calor [heat] and lux [light].) Over the entire period of the project (2008 to 2015), a total of up to 800 fuel cell heating devices will be used in Callux for the supply of domestic heat and power.
Systems with polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) and solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology will both be tested. Phase 1 of the project has been running since September 2008. A total of 48% of the cost of Callux is covered by funds from NIP; which makes NOW a powerful and committed partner to the project. The aim of Callux is to further develop existing technology into reliable systems that are suitable for everyday use through the participating energy providers’ purchase, installation, and operation of large numbers of fuel cell heating devices. This effort will help prepare the market for the launch of fuel cell heaters powered by natural gas.
The core elements of the project are the field test modules of energy providers EnBW, E.ON, Ruhrgas, and MVV Energy. These companies purchase state-of-the-art fuel cell heating devices, make them available to interested private customers, and test the use of the technology in everyday practice. The energy providers purchase the heating devices on the basis of long-term contracts with device manufacturers Baxi Innotech, Hexis, and Vaillant. Thus, small initial production runs with the appropriate supplier chains are established.
The NEEDS lighthouse project was initiated in 2008 in the industrial fuel cell systems area within the energy supply sector. Its aim is to develop standardized fuel cell systems in combination with biomass utilization plants (biogas, sewer gas, pyrolysis, synthesis).
Dalkia Deutschland is working on an initial system, made up of a molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) and a gas motor block-type thermal power station with a specially developed management and control system. The new system is designed for use in biogas plants. The MCFC is particularly well suited to permanent operation at the rated load point, while the gas motor block-type thermal power station converts the peak generation of biogas into heat and power, thus avoiding biogas burn-off. In addition, the plant’s waste heat is fed into a local heating system as useful heat. The installation of around 60 systems is planned by 2014 as part of the NEEDS lighthouse project.
Another lighthouse project is underway in Potsdam’s “Speicherstadt” warehouse area. The historic warehouse area is the main development site in the Potsdam inner city. Its energy supply is to be highly efficient and completely carbon dioxide (CO2) neutral. The project will combine innovative construction methods to minimize consumption with a high-performance MCFC fuel cell block-type thermal power station and biogas generation from organic waste.
MTU has initiated an individual project in the field of high-temperature fuel cells. The company is adapting and optimizing production processes in the course of development of an automated production line; to date, modules have been produced manually. The cell stacks produced in this way are being tested in the laboratory and in practice. The project combines research with development and trials and is being financed jointly by BMWi and BMVBS. The total contribution from the latter ministry for the period of 2008 to 2011 is €5.6 million (US$8.20 million).