Converting Steam Generation with ENERGYNEST

The project to electrify steam generation at our headquarters in Bad Münstereifel is gaining momentum, and we're pleased to share the first milestone: ENERGYNEST will be our partner for implementing the new system.

From Project to Realisation

With this contract, the industrial implementation of our project begins. The project is supported by the Federal Funding for Industry and Climate Protection (BIK) program of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE). As a skilled implementation partner, ENERGYNEST will handle both the engineering and the delivery of the whole system.

A Systematic Approach

The steam boiler is the heart of our production. A reliable supply of process steam is essential to every stage of manufacturing. In the new "power-to-heat system",  an electric heater converts electricity into high-temperature heat, which is then stored in a high-temperature thermal storage unit fitted with 15 ThermalBattery™ modules from ENERGYNEST. The system is complemented by an electric steam generator that produces the required process steam either directly from electricity or by taking the energy held in the thermal storage.

The intelligent interplay of these components allows us to draw on renewable electricity whenever it's available and convert it into steam as needed. This decreases dependency on fossil fuels without compromising the flexibility or efficiency of our steam generation.

Electric Steam Generation as a Future-Proof Solution

At present, the process steam required for production is still generated using natural gas. Going forward, a large share of the electricity for electric steam generation is intended to come from an adjacent photovoltaic plant, which will be built during the project period by another partner. This shift is expected to cut CO₂ emissions by up to 78 %, marking a significant contribution to the decarbonisation of our site.

With ENERGYNEST, we have a strong and experienced partner at our side, supporting us both technologically and conceptually in implementing this comprehensive project. Together, we want to demonstrate a future-proof way to generate process heat supply at energy-intense industrial sites, paving the way for comparable solutions across industries.