Green energy for Fürth: Ohm supports infra with study on energy storage concept
Which technologies can help to expand renewable energies in the city of Fürth? A research team from the Technische Hochschule Nürnberg Georg Simon Ohm (Ohm) supported the local utility, infra fürth gmbh, with a study to answer this question. The results provide a sound basis for the company's investment decisions in the coming years.
Prof. Dr. Florian Uhrig, Chair of Hydrogen Systems, and research assistant Tobias Nierlich investigated whether the purchase of a battery storage unit or an electrolyser for the production of hydrogen would be worthwhile and which option would make technical sense. The analysis was based on electricity grid data from infra and weather data on solar radiation and wind conditions. A simulation model was created on this basis. The study ran from April to December 2024 and the results have now been presented.
Photovoltaics plays a key role - battery storage for the best possible use of electricity
Specifically with regard to the weather conditions in Fürth, for example, it was shown that the orientation of photovoltaic systems (PV systems) plays an important role. “PV systems mainly generate electricity during the day, while households mainly need energy in the morning and evening for everyday activities such as cooking, washing and watching TV,” explains Prof. Dr. Florian Uhrig. This shift between generation and consumption can put a heavy strain on the electricity grids, which is why it makes sense to consider energy storage in new systems.
Without the possibility of storing energy, PV systems with east-west orientations are better adapted to these requirements and therefore more economical. The situation would change if infra were to opt for a battery storage system: electricity from the peak generation times of the PV systems could be stored there and then feed customers' hobs and washing machines in the evening. In this case, south-facing PV systems are the most economical.
Green hydrogen for Fürth
In the scenario for the economic production of green hydrogen in Fürth using an electrolyser, however, a combination of solar and wind energy would ideally be required: this would result in the lowest costs per kilowatt hour of hydrogen produced. However, the study shows that the local PV systems are not sufficient for a large plant.
“What was exciting about the project for us was that we were able to use real financial and weather data to assess the feasibility of the different technologies,” says Uhrig. “We hope that we can use the results to make a regional contribution to a CO2-neutral energy supply.” Marcus Winter, Head of Generation at infra, is also satisfied with the collaboration and the results: “With all its products and services, infra is geared towards making a significant contribution to greenhouse gas neutrality. This is reflected in tangible projects such as the Climate Offensive funding program.”
Together they have provided a sound basis for decision-making for future investments: Marcus Winter, Head of Generation at infra fürth gmbh (from left), Florian Uhrig, Professor of Hydrogen Systems at the Ohm and Tobias Nierlich, research assistant in the project “Energy storage concept for battery storage and hydrogen production for Fürth”. (Photo: infra)
