The start of innovative combined heat and power system (iKWKS) trial operations represents a milestone on our way to a sustainable Bayreuth Unicampus.
Pressing the iKWKS start button together on 6 October 2021, from left: Dr. Ulrike Wolf (Ministerial Director of the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs), Jürgen Bayer (Managing Director of Stadtwerke Bayreuth), and Bayreuth Head Mayor Thomas Ebersberger.
How was the University of Bayreuth supplied with heating and cooling before 6 October 2021?
Dr.-Ing. Florian Heberle: Heating and cooling is supplied to the University of Bayreuth by Stadtwerke Bayreuth. For this purpose, Stadtwerke Bayreuth operates two heating and cooling centres that feed into two heating networks and one cooling network at different points on the University campus. Up to now, natural gas has been the primary fossil fuel used. In order to future-proof our energy supply, the municipal utility successfully placed a bid in the first round of tenders for “innovative CHP systems” (iKWKS) under the CHP Act in 2018, and was awarded the contract.
At the start of trial operations, interested parties were able to learn about the construction of an iKWKS on site at the plant.
On 6 October 2021, after a construction period of about two years, the first iKWKS in Germany entered trial operations. What are the benefits of the new system?
In total, the system will eliminate the emission of around 5,000 tonnes of CO2 per year. With this, we are taking a big step towards our “Green Campus” vision. In our sustainability strategy, we commit to verifiable goals, including more energy efficiency. So the University of Bayreuth could not be a more fitting location for the first iKWK system in Bavaria – and indeed the whole of Germany!
A central element of the iCHP system is the natural gas CHP unit, which can also be operated with the admixture of (green) hydrogen in view of future applications.
The project is being scientifically advised by IfE, the Institute for Energy Technology at OTH Amberg-Weiden, and ZET, the Centre for Energy Technology at the University of Bayreuth. As ZET managing director, what is your role in all this?
Together with my colleague Marco Griesbach, we will contribute our research approaches for optimising the operation of complex energy systems to the project as a team. ZET can build on extensive findings from Green Hospital Lichtenfels and the TAO building at the University of Bayreuth. In both cases, we have contributed to the efficient coupling of multiple, regenerative generator units. Furthermore, it is my task as ZET managing director to constantly develop our research ideas and methods.
With the integration of three buffer storage tanks, the heat generated by the iKWKS is efficiently distributed across the Unicampus in two heating networks at different temperature levels.
How does the iKWK system work?
In the iKWKS, combined heat and power units (CHP), heat pumps and electrical heat generators work in combination to achieve the greatest possible flexibility in the provision of energy. A new building was constructed on the Bayreuth University campus especially for the iKWKS, in which a CHP unit rated at approx. 3.35 MW of electrical and 3.3 MW of thermal output was installed in conjunction with two air heat pumps, each with a heating output of 650 kW. An existing power-to-heat plant with an electrical connected load of 6 MW and a direct connection to 3 heating water buffer storage tanks with a capacity of 800 cubic metres each was integrated into the iKWK.
The large-scale heat pumps primarily feed into the University of Bayreuth’s low-temperature heating network.
Could you give us an overview of the advantages of the iKWK system?
Here I would like to emphasise three aspects in particular. Firstly, the integration of renewable energies in the provision of heat, for example in the form of heat pumps or solar thermal energy, is crucial for sustainable energy supply. Secondly, we achieve a high degree of flexibility in the system through the power-to-heat plant and use surplus electricity to provide heat. The iKWKS is thus directly integrated into sector coupling. Last but not least, the operating and control strategies developed in the “Intelligent Heating and Cooling Supply at the University of Bayreuth (IKUWU)” research project are fortunately finding their way into use. This is guaranteed by the close cooperation between Stadtwerke Bayreuth, OTH Amberg-Weiden, and the University of Bayreuth.
University Provost Dr. Nicole Kaiser responding to questions from media representatives on 6 October 2021.
