Kornel A. Balogh

Today is a big day for the ramp up of the hydrogen economy – a key element of the energy transition! RWE and other companies have received grants from the German federal and state governments to develop large-scale hydrogen projects. RWE has been awarded grants for two projects. They are part of the GET H2 initiative, a unique integrated approach along the entire value chain. Several partners are planning hydrogen production, transport as well as storage infrastructure – a huge effort for the decarbonisation of industry. RWE will receive funding for the construction of a 300-megawatt electrolysis plant in Lingen, Lower Saxony, which will be one of the largest facilities in Europe. The second project is our storage facility in Gronau-Epe, North Rhine-Westphalia, which will help to buffer the fluctuating production of green hydrogen. Furthermore, we are also part of a consortium that is working towards the construction of a 100-megawatt electrolysis plant in Rostock. This is another project that has received a grant. The EU has certified all the projects as “Important Projects of Common European Interest” (IPCEI), which was the basis for the funding commitments. I am very happy that we are moving forward, after more than three years, more than 1,000 pages of documents and countless hours answering detailed questions. I think we can all agree that there are opportunities for speeding up such bureaucratic processes on a European level to uphold Europe’s competitiveness. For today, we can celebrate that the ramp-up of the hydrogen economy is now underway. A massive well done to everyone involved from #TeamRWE and our partners.

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RWE and Salzgitter Group Sign 7-Year PPA for 64 GWh of Green Electricity from Boitzenburger Land Solar Park RWE Supply & Trading and the Salzgitter Group have agreed to a long-term green electricity supply for up to 64 gigawatt hours per year. The seven-year contract will begin in 2027. The green electricity will be sourced from the 180-megawatt peak Boitzenburger Land solar park in Brandenburg, one of Germany’s largest PV systems, covering approximately 170 hectares. Operational since autumn 2023, the park is co-owned by Solarenergie Boitzenburger Land GmbH, the GP JOULE Group, and Mainova AG, with Mainova responsible for electricity marketing. “We are delighted to be able to support our long-standing customer Salzgitter in realising its sustainability strategy,” […] Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/dpshFk5i #solarenergy #alternativeenergy #solarpv #pvsolar #photovoltaic #cleanenergy #cleantech #climatechange #europe #germany #renewableenergy #renewableenergy #rwe #salzgitterag #solarenergy

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The success of the #EnergyTransition is of extraordinary importance for future generations!!! Winning this race against the clock is fundamental for our future, therefore it is vital not to fall into the same mistakes again and again... Reviewing some of the articles I read recently, I found one again referring to the #German #EnergyTransition that contains some interesting reflections... https://lnkd.in/dMxv95Cz

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💧🌿 RWE commissions 14 MW pilot #electrolyser: #greenhydrogen production commences in Lingen, Germany Robert Habeck, German Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action and Stephan Weil, Lower Saxony’s Minister President, as well as Christian Meyer Lower Saxony’s Minister for the Environment, Energy and Climate Protection were present when RWE commissioned its pilot electrolyser plant. The facility on the site of RWE’s Emsland gas-fired power plant has a capacity of 14 MW. It can generate up to 270 kg of #greenhydrogen per hour using electricity from #renewable sources. Featuring two different electrolysis technologies, the pilot plant is to provide valuable insights for developing future industrial-scale #hydrogen facilities. The first large commercial electrolyser plant is already being built only metres away. As part of the GET H2 Nukleus project, a 100-MW electrolyser is to be commissioned there by 2025, with its capacity to be expanded to 300 MW by 2027. Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action | Sunfire | Linde | ITM Power For more info 👉 https://lnkd.in/gqCVh--8 📸 RWE

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New article in Deutscher Mittelstands-Bund (DMB) e.V. 🏭 In this insightful piece, our Deputy Head of Sales, Ralph Stemper, discusses why modernizing the grid is crucial for effectively using renewable energy. With high energy costs, the German Mittelstand faces challenges, especially with limited grid capacities for solar power. ⚡ Key points include: 1. Current Grid Limitations 👉 Outdated infrastructure can't handle increasing solar energy production. 2. Challenges for Solar Projects 👉 Many solar installations can't connect to the grid due to local infrastructure and high transformer station costs. 3. Decentralized Energy Supply 👉 Decentralization is needed but requires significant adjustments. 4. Long-term Benefits 👉 Enhancing the grid will make renewable energy more accessible and cost-effective for SMEs. Curious to learn more? 🌱 👉 Read the full article here (DE): https://lnkd.in/eGMcZxhh #renewableenergy #energyefficiency #solar #deutschermittelstand #gridmodernization

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A while back I wrote about #shifting our #demand patterns following the #renewableenergy. https://lnkd.in/gEw8acXV In July 2024, the Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur), Germany came up with a #position #paper as regards to the upgrade of their #electricity #grid policy, which is very similar in spirit. https://lnkd.in/gtX2mczJ The key aspects of this position paper as per the President of the Federal Network Agency are as follows, + The old network fee discounts no longer meet the requirements of an electricity system that is characterized by high proportions of renewable electricity generation + In the future, we want to particularly encourage #consumption #behavior in industry that benefits the system. + Industry and commerce should pay #reduced network #fees if they use more electricity in situations with high electricity supply.  + Conversely, they will also receive a reduction in network fees if they use less electricity in times of a #shortage of electricity. This is basically on similar lines with the "Timeshifting" post is on influencing the key #consumption patterns and #incentivize the consumers who consume more during the times of excess (renewable) energy generation. This was a no-brainer always, and it is great to see this being considered at a policy well in a region with high #penetration of #renewableenergy. If we can #eliminate the problem to a large extent in the first place, we do not need #expensive solutioning in the form of technology / firm power / energy storage etc. The #forward thinking nature of this position paper puts the prerogative on those responsible for #climatechange in the first place - the market & the industry. Solving for this will avoid significant over-dimensioning, reduce continued reliance on firm power gas/coal generation plants, eliminate need for majority of short-duration #energy #storage (read #batteries), minimize the need for new firm #nuclear power, and facilitate faster transition towards a high-renewable grid, hopefully upwards of 90-95%. Long duration storage will be required nevertheless as the #demand cannot be switched off for weeks and months together at times of minimal renewable generation. We at Umagine & H2 Carbon Zero completely support this position paper, and hope for a swift conversion to regulations in the upcoming months.

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Each month we talk about renewables and analyse energy market updates, and economic key facts across Europe.   In our Energy Matters Report we examine data that helps companies understand how those events and price fluctuations can impact business. Discover some highlights from our May report:    Maintenance across the Norwegian Continental Shelf;  High gas storage stocks across Europe, sitting at approximately 62% full; The European Commission proposed a ban on the re-loading and transshipment of Russian LNG in EU ports; Belgium approved bills to extend the Doel 4 (1,033 MW) and Tihange 3 (1,038 MW) nuclear reactors until 2035; Oil demand growth is anticipated to slow to 1.2 million barrels per day (bbl/day) in 2024, according to IEA.     Sign up to Energy Matters today to discover more!     https://lnkd.in/eaN9VbYs 

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AI will shape the future of the energy sector, and vice versa. This was one of the key messages at the AI Day @ RWE that took place this week. We face a confluence of three significant factors: the rising demand for electricity worldwide, the growth of AI and its own corresponding electricity demand, and the need to accelerate the net-zero energy transformation.  AI is therefore more than a useful helper for daily work. It is simultaneously a demand driver, a challenge for local grids, and a tool to drive the energy transition forward. There are many possible pathways here, and each factor must be considered in combination with the others.  What’s clear is that the energy use of AI and data centres is growing rapidly, particularly in industrialised countries. The electricity demand for data centres is projected to rise 9% per year in the EU and could exceed 5% of the bloc’s total electricity demand by 2026. In the United States, data centres already represented 4% of total electricity demand in 2022, rising to 6% by 2026. Close partnerships between the tech sector and energy and infrastructure providers are therefore imperative for a secure power supply.  On the other hand, AI offers potential to overcome some of the energy system challenges that currently stand in its way. Grids particularly stand to benefit from improved forecasting, simulation, and real-time demand response. And in turn, better prediction of renewable generation profiles can help to ease their integration into the grid and provide more clean power.  In short: Our focus on AI is preparing us for the future. We are ready to provide the power that this technology needs, and we are also prepared to make use of its advantages.

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Energy Transition in Germany : Status on May 2024: Auctions for 10 GW H2-ready gas capacity in Germany to start before year-end First auctions for Germany’s planned 10 GW of hydrogen-ready gas power plants will be held before the end of this year, economy minister Robert Habeck announced. Details of the government’s power plant strategy, aimed at incentivising the construction of 4 GW of H2-ready plants with a capacity 2.5 GW each, are meant to be adopted by the Cabinet by summer. Status on November 2024: There is no Government, power plant strategy plan, or even a Cabinet to approve the required legal steps. Hydrogen-ready gas power plants are hailed as a clean and dispatchable power source to balance the growing supply of intermittent wind and solar power to the grid as Germany phased out nuclear power and is gradually exiting coal. The ruling coalition has set a target to boost the share of renewables from 50% to 80% of electricity produced by 2035.

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20 GW of long-duration energy storage is needed by 2050 - but how much of this could be met by BESS? While many different technologies are competing to provide long-duration storage, pumped storage hydro is the main technology operating today. Four plants are currently operational in Great Britain, totaling 2.8 GW of power capacity -  with an average duration of 17 hours. These store energy by pumping water up to a reservoir during low demand and releasing it during high demand. Because most of the cost of these plants comes from the power infrastructure, Capex doesn’t scale much with duration. A 20-hour pumped storage plant would only cost 30% more to build than a 2-hour plant.  Battery energy storage costs, however, scale much more with duration. Longer durations require more cells - which are the major cost component of BESS projects.   This means that batteries are currently only cheaper than pumped storage for durations up to around 6 hours. However, falling cell costs over time will change this, and by 2030 we project that batteries will be cheaper for durations up to around 10 hours. Because of their higher round-trip efficiency and faster response rates, batteries can also see higher average revenues - leading to an overall better investment case. Modo Energy subscribers can read the full article to find out more: https://lnkd.in/e8et5Mwc

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The next decade of HVDC technology - now is the time to plan for grid expansion! In a recent interview by S&P Global, I discussed the increasing demand for #HVDC technology. The article exemplified the completion of the 1.4 GW Sofia #offshore platform in the UK North Sea by RWE. This project underscores the significant role that HVDC technology plays in the energy landscape.    Siemens Energy is actively involved in numerous projects, with a focus on reducing lead times through strategic supply chain investments. Our commitment to enhancing grid technologies is evident in our contributions to various projects, like DolWin4 and BorWin4.    As part of our growth strategy, we are expanding our manufacturing facilities in Kalwa, India, and Charlotte, NC, while also implementing an academy approach to address the global shortage of HVDC expertise. 👉 Read more here: https://lnkd.in/d8GYDDZ3     I am confident in the #sustainability of the grid sector's growth and believe that now is the opportune time for TSOs and DSOs to plan for grid expansion. With our technologies we connect energy systems and bring power from where it’s generated to where it’s needed. ⚡ Get in touch with our Grid Solutions team to explore collaborative opportunities and drive the next decade of HVDC technology. #energytransition #powergrids

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📰 Must read: The world's quest for the holy grail of energy production. We're delighted to see our efforts towards a sustainable future in the spotlight! Matthias Jauch's article "Die Sonnen-Anbeter" (The sun worshippers) in FOCUS online explains how we're developing solutions for a clean energy future, and what it will take to implement this groundbreaking technology. "Fusion is a unique opportunity to build a world-class industry in Europe. The time to act is now!" says our CEO Milena Roveda. 🔎 Read the full article here (in German): https://lnkd.in/g9nMsTSS #FusionPower #FusionWithIntegrity #FusionPowerPlant #SustainableFuture #Sustainability #RenewableEnergy #FusionEnergy

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Like in 2023, Finland is again in the lead of the competition for most often occurring negative prices during H1-2024. This is another symptom of the severe flexibility deficit we currently have in Finland, manifesting itself either in security of supply and affordability concerns or in energy waste. For both, the cure is more flexibility from both demand and supply, not forgetting a need for an adequate national, Nordic and European energy infrastructure.

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🌟 High energy costs are a worry for many households across Europe. They are also an obstacle to energy transformation. Decisions to invest in climate-friendly technologies – such as the spread of heat pumps and electric cars – depend crucially on permanently low electricity costs. 🌍 European households have become particularly sensitive to this issue since Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and the resulting price increases. 📊 I have already reported on the development of electricity prices in Europe and their causes in a previous article. I would now like to take a look at household electricity costs. How much do Europeans pay for their electricity? And how have prices changed in recent years? 📈 The first thing you notice in the graph above, based on Eurostat data, is that while electricity prices have been rising steadily in recent years, in many countries the trend has been in the opposite direction now that the acute energy crisis has been overcome. 🇮🇪 Ireland, Belgium and the Netherlands saw particularly large changes in electricity prices between the two six-month periods. 💡 What's striking is that in Ireland, for example, the boom in big tech and AI has meant that data centres now consume almost as much electricity as the population. The country now relies on an incredible amount of electricity, but is lagging far behind in the development of renewable energy and currently uses mainly fossil fuels. 🇧🇪 In Belgium, however, the price of electricity for households has fallen by €0.10/kWh. This is mainly due to falling commodity prices and grid costs. 🇳🇱 Households in the Netherlands also paid €0.11/kWh less for electricity in the first half of 2024 than in the same period last year. Gas and electricity have become cheaper in the Netherlands. In addition, the country has lowered taxes on electricity while increasing taxes on gas. ⚡ Electricity prices depend on many factors, such as taxes, levies and surcharges, but also on the supply and demand for electricity in each country. The high prices in Ireland are a good example of what happens when supply does not meet demand. Moving away from fossil fuels and investing in renewables usually leads to higher prices initially. But in the long run, the investment pays off. 🌱 At E.ON One, we are supporting this change with innovative digital technologies that are driving the transformation of power, heat and transport and paving the way for a clean and affordable energy future. ❓ What are the characteristics of energy prices in your home countries? Did I miss anything? What are the specific factors that influence the prices? Let me know in the comments!

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Credit article to reNEWS - Renewable Energy News Iberdrola Deutschland and Salzgitter Flachstahl have concluded a further solar power purchase agreement (PPA). From 2025, Iberdrola Deutschland will supply Salzgitter Flachstahl with around 60 gigawatt hours (GWh) of electricity per year generated by a 60MW solar plant in Germany. The array will be built in Saxony-Anhalt and is already at an advanced stage of development. The new PPA, which has a 15-year term, expands the companies’ partnership where Iberdrola will supply Salzgitter Flachstahl from its Baltic Eagle offshore wind farm in future. #Europe #Germany #Iberdrola #Solar #QEDGroup #QEDEnergy #PrimeDispute

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Credit article to reNEWS - Renewable Energy News Iberdrola Deutschland and Salzgitter Flachstahl have concluded a further solar power purchase agreement (PPA). From 2025, Iberdrola Deutschland will supply Salzgitter Flachstahl with around 60 gigawatt hours (GWh) of electricity per year generated by a 60MW solar plant in Germany. The array will be built in Saxony-Anhalt and is already at an advanced stage of development. The new PPA, which has a 15-year term, expands the companies’ partnership where Iberdrola will supply Salzgitter Flachstahl from its Baltic Eagle offshore wind farm in future. #Europe #Germany #Iberdrola #Solar #QEDGroup #QEDEnergy #PrimeDispute

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Statement: Hydrogen as the Key to the Future of Energy 🌟 The Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz is planning a rigorous dismantling of the gas network by 2045. But is that really the right approach? Dr. Thomas Klaue , CEO of SIQENS GmbH, urges a reassessment of these plans. 💡 Technological openness is the key: In a time when the future of the energy sector is still uncertain, we should not act hastily. The existing gas infrastructure could be used for the transport of green hydrogen, a sustainable solution for industry and communities. 🔍 Careful examination is essential: Why should we destroy a functioning #infrastructure that is already suitable for hydrogen? A parallel use of #gaspipelines and hydrogen pipelines would be efficient and cost-effective. 🚫 No blind action: Instead of pursuing blind activism, we should act rationally. Utilizing existing infrastructure and proven technologies will accelerate #decarbonization and support the #economiclocation of Germany. Together, we can shape a sustainable energy future. Do you agree? Share your thoughts with us! 💬 You can read the full interview in #Themenmagazin here: https://lnkd.in/d3GwXvjn

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Batteries are an important instrument to manage power in the energy markets. The whitepaper describes the use cases for batteries.

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🚀Germany's Renewable Development Roadblocks: Valuable Insights to Mitigate Future Delays🚀 Despite its strong commitment to #Renewables, like all markets, Germany's permitting process has been slowed due to a combination of regulatory complexities and local community opposition. The result? Thus far, inadequate renewable capacity has been developed to meet its ambitious climate targets. 🌍 💡However, Germany's response to these challenges could serve as an important blueprint for stalled permitting processes elsewhere.💡 It includes, 📜 Streamlined Permitting By reducing redundant environmental assessments and clarifying legal frameworks, Germany has effectively trimmed inefficiencies, without sacrificing the integrity of environmental safeguards. 🏛️ Federal-Regional Collaboration Encouraging greater alignment between different levels of government has reduced conflicting agendas and priorities, speeding up decision-making and reducing permitting delays. 👥 Community Engagement Germany has also proactively incorporated public feedback into early project development, fostering public trust in renewable projects and reducing potential opposition. At #OWC, we have colleagues located across 35+ offices globally, experts in their respective regions regulatory and environmental requirements. Our recently expanded #EnviromentsAndConsents team, headed up by Lara Lawrie, can offer support throughout the entirety of a project's lifecycle including, 📚 Early Feasibility Analysis 👥 Survey Management ♻️ Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) ✔️ Post-Consent Compliance 👷‍♂️ O&M If you'd like to contact our local team and learn how our experts can power your energy project, follow the link below! 📞👇 🔗 https://lnkd.in/e5H4G_9k Alternatively, you can catch up with OWC, and the wider #ABLGroup, at #WindEnergy Hamburg 2024 the month! Our German Country Manger, Nils Falkenhorst, Head of Independent Engineering, Christian Apeah, and Head of Measurement Advisory, Patrick Schwenk, will all be in attendance. You can request a meeting in advance to talk with one of our experts about your energy project! 👇 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eBkjCaF3 #OWC #ABLGroup #OneTeam #GlobalPartnerLocalExpert #EnergyAndOceans #TheRenewableEnergyConsultants

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