Potential Study on Green Gases

Background

In the course of the energy transition, low-emission and emission-free energy sources are increasingly coming into focus. In particular, the production and use of so-called "green gases" is seen as a promising option to ensure a sustainable and climate-friendly energy supply. These gases can be transported and distributed via the existing gas infrastructure and thus represent an attractive alternative to fossil fuels such as natural gas.

Project description

As part of a study, the technical and economic potential to generate and use "green gases" in the innovation region of Central Germany was investigated.

The Innovation Region Central Germany is an association of counties and independent cities in Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia together with other partners that are committed to the future of the region. In particular, the counties and independent cities affected by the coal phase-out are looking for new perspectives and business fields to cope with the economic structural change. The existing industrial structure plays an important role as it holds many opportunities for the production of "green gases" such as hydrogen, synthetic gases from renewable electricity or gases from biogenic sources such as biogas and biomethane. The project to investigate the potential of "green gases" in the innovation region of Central Germany is divided into several steps.

Work packages

In the first step, the scientists conducted a meta-study and life cycle analysis to quantify the techno-economic and environmental impacts of green gas production, use and distribution. The inventory analysis formed the second phase of the project, in which the existing industrial structures, infrastructure and energy supply systems in the region were examined to determine the prerequisites for the ramp-up of green gases. In the third step, a potential analysis was conducted to estimate the potential volume of green gases that could be produced and to identify the technical, financial, and political conditions necessary to achieve this. The identified potentials were translated into regional value-added and employment effects. Finally, based on the results of the first three phases, recommendations for action were derived for the region to promote the implementation of green gases and to strengthen the regional economy and employment.

Our services

Fraunhofer IMW quantified the economic potential of green gases for the innovation region of Central Germany. For this purpose, value added and employment effects were calculated for two scenarios and the time points 2030, 2040 and 2045. These were related to current jobs in the lignite sector.