A new technology that converts solar and wind energy into methane could increase energy security in Central Europe during the winter months. The high volatility of these energy sources in regions with moderate sun and wind power has made it difficult to guarantee a stable energy supply during times of high demand. Currently, wind and solar-generated electricity is stored in pumped storage power plants and batteries, but these technologies will soon reach their limits as renewable energy continues to expand. To address this issue, RAG Austria, a leading energy company, has partnered with Swiss company Energie 360° and a team of scientists to develop a new storage technology called “Underground Sun Conversion – Flexible Storage.”
The technology involves storing hydrogen, produced from renewable energy sources, in a porous rock underground gas storage facility. The scientists used an exhausted natural gas reservoir in Pilsbach, Austria, to test the technology, where hydrogen and carbon dioxide are converted into methane by microbes. This process not only stores renewable energy but also removes CO2 from the environment. The partners hope that this technology will stabilize the European energy grid and enable a higher proportion of renewable (gaseous) energy, reducing the need for nuclear and coal-fired power plants.
Other projects are also exploring the potential of former coal mines in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, as storage facilities for renewable energy. With Germany generating more than half of its electricity from renewable sources in 2020, this new technology could be a game-changer in ensuring a stable energy supply during peak demand periods.
