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The power of green hydrogen

Hydrogen is a key element in the energy transition. It has the potential to decarbonize a vast variety of sectors, from shipping, heating and cooling to industrial applications. We at MAN Energy Solutions acknowledge the power of H2 and with our solutions and services, we are already covering all parts of the hydrogen economy today.

Prepared for change with the complete value chain of H2 and synthetic fuels

To reach carbon-neutrality in this generation, the world needs quick and efficient solutions. As a solution provider and general advisor on the question of decarbonization, we are ready to support the energy transition with full power. Our portfolio already covers the complete value chain of Hfrom production to utilization – we are prepared for change.

Hydrogen can be produced from renewable energy in a climate-neutral way and forms the basis for the production of a variety of synthetic fuels through Power-to-X processes. We urgently need these  alternative fuels to implement the energy transition, because they make renewable energy usable outside the electricity grids. In this way, CO2 emissions can also be reduced in those areas where direct electrification is not sensible or possible, such as international shipping. Hydrogen and Power-to-X thus form an important link for the sector coupling of power and heat generation, transport and industrial applications.

4590
TWh
projected hydrogen demand worldwide in 2040
6
metric gigatons of carbon emissions could be reduced annually by using green hydrogen
820
B €
projected volume of the hydrogen economy in 2050

Paving the way for a greener future

The production of hydrogen is the crucial first step in the value chain. H-TEC SYSTEMS, a German electrolysis-specialist, has been perfecting its technology for more than 20 years; MAN Energy Solutions recently acquired 99% of the company’s shares. H-TEC SYSTEMS offers PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane) electrolysers in the 225 kW to 1 MW range.

Together with MAN Energy Solutions, the company is now promoting the development of PEM electrolysers in the multi-megawatt range, which will also enable the use of the most pioneering electrolysers on an industrial scale.

Learn more about our cooperation with H-TEC SYSTEMS

Delivering a green future

To make CO2-neutral energy useful across all sectors, converting renewable electricity into storable and easy-to-handle fuels is crucial; the power-to-X process allows for just that. It is a transformation technology that converts renewable electricity into carbon-neutral, synthetic fuels, which can then be used in other sectors or be stored until needed. Among others, these fuels include synthetic natural gas (SNG), green ammonia and methanol. 

MAN Energy Solutions is already a pioneer of power-to-X technology: in 2013, we commissioned the methanation reactor for Europe's first – and, at 6 MW, largest – power-to-gas plant. Currently, the e-gas plant in Werlte, Lower Saxony, supplies 1,500 gas-powered vehicles with climate-neutral fuel every year.

We have since consistently developed power-to-X technology and offer turnkey plants with a capacity of 50 MW and more. Such a plant can produce 14,500 tons of synthetic natural gas (SNG) per year, enough fuel for 470 natural-gas-powered, local-transport buses to each cover 60,000 kilometres CO2-neutrally.

As a leading provider of reactor technology, we furthermore offer sophisticated chemical-reactor systems to convert hydrogen into a broad variety of synthetic fuels, including synthetic methane, methanol and ammonia.

Learn more about our Power-to-X solutions

Solutions for hydrogen infrastructure

A viable hydrogen infrastructure requires that hydrogen is transportable from source to point of use. This can happen via pipeline, by road in gaseous tube trailers, as well as by rail or ship. In order to transport large volumes of hydrogen, it must be pressurized and delivered as a compressed gas. This is where our turbomachinery technology comes into play with MAN’s high-tech compressor solutions being capable of installation, for instance, in future H2 pipeline compressor-stations. Additionally, MAN Energy Solutions already has expertise in building turnkey, turbomachinery systems for large industrial plants that produce ammonia and methanol, both of which viable carriers for hydrogen.

Learn more about our compressor technologies

The future is here

At MAN Energy Solutions, we are helping to shape the sustainability agenda and provide a clear path for you to achieve your goals. That’s why we believe in a broad field of application for H2 and synthetic fuels – whether applied to power-and-heat generation, shipping, steel or cement production, or other industries. No matter what vessel or plant you operate, our proven, fuel-flexible engines and solutions are future-proof and ready for the climate-neutral fuels of the future.

We cover all processing steps of the hydrogen economy under the umbrella of MAN Energy Solutions.

Uwe Lauber, CEO MAN Energy Solutions

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Thursday, November 4, 2021

H2-ready: MAN Gas Engines Enable Hydrogen Use in Power Plants

MAN Energy Solutions has announced that its gas-powered, four-stroke engines are 'H2-ready' and operable in stationary mode with a hydrogen content of up to 25% by volume in a gas-fuel mix. As such, within the power-plant segment, the company’s MAN 35/44G TS, 51/60G and 51/60G TS gas engines are now designated as H2-ready and capable of exploiting hydrogen to further reduce CO2 emissions. This hydrogen-combusting capability enables MAN gas engines to meet Level B requirements of the European Engine Power Plants Association’s (EUGINE) H2-readiness standard. With Power-to-X fuels such as synthetic natural gas (SNG), MAN engines can already be operated in a completely climate-neutral way.

“Flexible and decentralised, gas-fired power plants will play a decisive role for a secure power-supply on the pathway towards 100% renewable energy,” said Dr Gunnar Stiesch, Head of Engineering Engines at MAN Energy Solutions. “The CO2 emissions of these power plants can be further reduced by mixing the fuel gas with hydrogen. Green hydrogen is still a scarce commodity and therefore our engines offer operators full flexibility within the scope of the admixture possible in the existing gas network. At the same time, we are working on future concepts that will enable hydrogen fuelling of up to 100% as soon as it becomes available in large quantities.”

The adaptive combustion control (ACC) of the MAN engines reacts fully automatically to varying hydrogen contents in the natural gas and enables operation without loss of efficiency, even with fluctuating H2 content. Gas engines already in operation can be retrofitted for hydrogen blend-in by upgrading the automation and adding additional ACC sensors.

“We are focusing our R&D efforts on offering our customers maximum operational flexibility and future-proofness,” said Stiesch. “The development of a hydrogen economy will take several years, during which time the infrastructure will be upgraded and the production of green hydrogen ramped up. In the German natural-gas grid, for example, a maximum admixture of up to 10% is currently possible; in the future, 20% will be feasible. With our engines, power-plant operators are optimally positioned for this situation.”

Documents

  • 20211104_MAN_ES_PM_H2-ready_Gasmotoren_DE
    PDF, 131 KB English
  • 20211104_MAN_ES_PM_H2-ready_gas-engines_ENG
    PDF, 130 KB English

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