Regional PPA electricity for the production of green hydrogen: GETEC ENERGIE supports Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems IWES in procuring electricity from nearby wind turbines.

Hydrogen is considered one of the central building blocks of the energy transition. However, the splitting of water into hydrogen and oxygen (electrolysis) required for its production is energy-intensive. In order for production to be_CO2-neutral, the use of green electricity for electrolysis is a prerequisite. The Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems IWES in Bremerhaven operates two electrolysers at the recently established Hydrogen Lab Bremerhaven to research the long-term effects of fluctuating electricity production from wind turbines on the turbines. The resulting hydrogen is made available to the local economy. The green electricity required comes from a nearby wind turbine at the old airport in Bremerhaven.

The Fraunhofer IWES is supplied with green electricity from the aforementioned wind turbine via a direct electricity supply contract, also known as a PPA (Power Purchase Agreement). In order for the hydrogen produced with the PPA electricity to be labeled “green”, it must be ensured that one hundred percent of the green electricity used comes from the contracted wind turbine. GETEC ENERGIE is supporting the model project in order to manage the energy management tasks associated with a PPA. The energy service provider from Hanover is responsible for forecasting, calculating balancing energy risks, schedule management and processing the guarantees of origin generated by the wind turbine.

“A new EU regulation (2023/1184) and the regulations for its transposition into national law (37.BimschV; 20/9844), which were only available in draft form during the contract negotiations, have meant that this contractual constellation is uncharted territory for all parties involved. In addition, GETEC ENERGIE is responsible for purchasing additional electricity volumes and selling electricity for us,” says Mareike Sievers, Head of Construction and Building Services, Fraunhofer IWES.

“We are delighted to be able to support the Fraunhofer IWES in this innovative project,” says Cord Wiesner, CEO of GETEC ENERGIE, commenting on the collaboration with the Bremerhaven research institute. “The purchase of green electricity from clearly identifiable third-party plants is currently only possible via a PPA. However, the process is complex and cannot be handled by either the plant operators or the electricity consumers. Service providers such as GETEC ENERGIE can perfectly fill the competence gap here,” Wiesner continues.