Uniper and Siemens Gas and Power have signed a cooperation agreement to develop projects that will decarbonise power generation across the German energy producer’s portfolio.
A key aspect of the companies’ planned cooperation is production and use of green hydrogen, where the gas is made from electrolysis using renewable electricity.
The scope of the agreement also includes evaluating the potential of Uniper’s existing gas turbines and gas storage facilities for using hydrogen and will also investigate the role hydrogen can play in Uniper’s coal power plants.
Uniper recently announced that it would close or convert its coal-fired power plants in Europe by 2025 at the latest, which is critical to its goal of having carbon neutral European operations by 2035.
The power producer has set itself the goal of reducing carbon dioxide emissions in the European generation segment from 22 million tonnes today to net-zero emissions by 2035.
The company built the first power-to-gas plant in Falkenhagen, Germany, in 2013, followed by another one in Hamburg in 2015. Uniper added a methanisation plant to the Falkenhagen plant in 2018.
Uniper chief executive Andreas Schierenbeck said: “After the coal phase-out and the switch to a secure gas-based energy supply, the use of climate-friendly gas will be a major step towards successful energy system transformation; therefore, the decarbonisation of the gas industry, including gas-fired power generation, is essential if Germany and Europe are to achieve their climate targets.
“We are ready to invest and have set the strategic course to significantly accelerate the decarbonisation of our portfolio. In doing so, it is important to bundle energies, act openly in terms of technology, and work with proven high-technology partners like Siemens.”
Siemens Gas and Power builds power-to-x infrastructure and equipment.
The company supplies technologies for enabling carbon dioxide-free energy supply, including power and heat generation by renewable energy or gas-fired power plants, power transmission and distribution equipment, and electrolysis equipment for hydrogen production.