Innovative energy technology – ecological, economical and safe
Innovative energy technology – ecological, economical and safe
At E-world in Essen, TÜV SÜD will present its comprehensive product portfolio for renewable energies, modern power-station technology and energy efficiency. Focal areas are: support for energy from renewable sources, innovative energy certificates, carbon footprint, carbon capture and storage (CCS) and local and regional energy schemes. TÜV SÜD can be found in Hall 1, Stand 322 at the trade show, held from 9 to 11 February 2010.
TÜV SÜD Industrie Service supports plant owners/operators, energy suppliers, local councils and investors with consulting and innovative certification services along the entire value chain. As the systems for sustainable energy generation become increasingly complex, integrated strategies are called for to ensure smooth approval and efficient and safe operation.
Renewable energy: Certification of wind power, biogas, green power, and carbon footprint
Today, roughly 25,000 MW of installed wind power capacity already satisfy over seven per cent of the electricity demand in Germany. And offshore wind-power capacities are set to undergo further expansion. "Our 'Wind Cert Services' offer comprehensive, customized consulting and support, from type certification and the selection of a suitable site to wind farm due diligence", explains Peter Herbert Meier, Head of Wind Cert Services at TÜV SÜD Industrie Service. TÜV SÜD's assessment instruments, including wind measurement, yield prediction, analysis of wind potential or expert opinions on turbulence and extreme winds, are aligned to each other. "By opting for wind-farm due diligence plus certification of their wind farms, owners/operators and investors make sure that they exploit the full potential offered by their sites", explains Peter Herbert Meier.
In the majority of cases, biogas, the alternative fuel, is converted into electrical and thermal energy directly on-site at its place of production. Alternatively, biogas may be upgraded to the quality of natural gas, fed into the public grid and used as 'bio natural gas' similar to 'normal' natural gas in heating or fuel applications.
Electricity produced by conversion of biogas in combined heating and power stations (CHPs) is eligible for subsidization under the German Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG). "Our new 'GreenMethane' certification, which verifies production, upgrading and power infeed into the grid, was developed especially for this purpose" explains Igor Dormuth, New Business Development at TÜV SÜD Industrie Service. Owners/operators of grids and feeding systems, energy suppliers and retailers of biogas and fuel benefit equally from this impartial proof. The use of biogas as a fuel can be credited to the biofuel quota. Starting from mid-2010 onwards, TÜV SÜD will also offer the certification required for this purpose.
Another innovative TÜV SÜD certificate is associated with green power certification. With this certification, energy suppliers can furnish reliable proof that their energy is generated from renewable sources. "From production to supply, we verify that the supplier complies with our catalogue of criteria and the amended EEG", explains Klaus Nuernberger, Carbon Management Services at TÜV SÜD Industrie Service. Last but not least, green power certified by TÜV SÜD can also be traded in the form of green power certificates. The necessary level of transparency required for this purpose is ensured by BlueRegistry, the registration database for certificate management developed by TÜV SÜD.
In addition to the certification of sustainable energy, TÜV SÜD Industrie Service also plays a leading role in the assessment of greenhouse-gas inventories and corporate carbon footprint. "Companies which have chosen a climate-neutral business approach can now have this fact officially confirmed", notes Thomas Claßen, Carbon Management Service at TÜV SÜD Industrie Service. "The prerequisite for successful 'climate-neutral' certification is a comprehensive catalogue of criteria focusing on the initial conditions and monitoring in addition to the subsequent offsetting of existing emissions." Within this context, the emissions to be offset must be identified accurately, transparently and conservatively as greenhouse gas inventory and the scope and quality of the reduction certificates must correspond to the identified emissions. In addition, product emissions can be verified and certified. The "Product Carbon Footprint" is based on an approach which covers the entire lifecycle of a product.
Modern power station technology: third-party support for CCS technology
Modern power stations with improved efficiency and retrofitted with CCS technologies are aimed at more efficient and climate-friendly coal-fired electricity generation. This involves higher requirements for future plant and operation schemes and the necessary material concepts. "While higher operating pressures and temperatures improve efficiency, they also impose more stress on materials, thus calling for new material concepts", explains Hans Christian Schröder, Power Station Sector Manager at TÜV SÜD Industrie Service.
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) systems also crucially influence both the operating strategy and the costs of electricity generation. TÜVSÜD experts inspect power stations and assess whether they can be retrofitted with CCS technology. "For cost-effective electricity generation, CCS technologies must be integrated perfectly into the power station processes and the potential for optimization of operating processes must be fully exploited", says Hans Christian Schröder. TÜV SÜD's experts also support the implementation of legal requirements as technical mediators.
Energy schemes for local authorities: "carbon-neutral regions"
TÜV SÜD Industrie Service assists local authorities in their long-term goals of becoming 'near-zero carbon regions'. "Communities wishing to develop an urban, sustainable infrastructure must pay greater attention to urban, architectural, transport and energy planning", explains Dr Gerd Streubel, Head of Plant Engineering at TÜV SÜD Industrie Service. Based on thermal and emission maps, the experts assess the energy supply and consumption of municipal buildings and facilities. TÜV SÜD also develops alternative supply schemes, taking into account the economic framework conditions, and provides consultancy services to the public sector on the right measures for improved energy efficiency.
N.B.: Talk on the cost-effectiveness of power stations in terms of carbon capture and storage (CCS) by Hans Christian Schröder and Kai Höhn. E-world, 10 February 2010, 15:45 to 16:15 (the talk will be in English). The venue will be announced at the entrance to the trade fair.
Contact: Dr. Thomas Oberst
