Leipziger Stadtwerke, Germany: 100% hydrogen-ready CHP plant

As part of the city's objective to offer climate-neutral heating solutions by 2038, Leipziger Stadtwerke wanted to transform its Leipzig Süd district heating facility. The transition involved moving away from lignite-based power and heat production and embracing carbon-neutral energy sources. Simultaneously, the facility had to exhibit great flexibility in order to counterbalance the fluctuation of renewable energy and respond promptly to the changing demands of the spot market.

The hydrogen-ready power plant utilizes advanced gas turbine technology, offering a climate-neutral fuel solution. Moreover, its efficient CHP configuration achieves 94% fuel utilization with a capacity to generate 125MW electrical power and 163MW thermal power.

With its extremely low emissions, Leipzig Süd is one of the cleanest power stations in the world. In addition, a thermal storage tank decouples heat and power production from heat demand to maximize revenue streams. Moreover, the plant can reach its full generation capacity in just 15 minutes. This ability to quickly respond to grid fluctuations can improve its competitiveness on the spot market and aid in balancing the grid.