The Jenbacher CHP plant is powered by green hydrogen, which is produced in summer through water electrolysis and stored in the world's first underground hydrogen storage in a porous reservoir in Rubensdorf near Gampern. This storage facility can hold up to 4.2 GWh of surplus solar power in the form of hydrogen. The electricity and heat generated in the Jenbacher CHP plant are used for the site's local requirements, thus achieving a very high utilization rate.
With this flagship project, INNIO Group and RAG Austria are taking an important step towards net zero. Working together, they are helping solve one of the central challenges of the energy transition: the seasonal storage of surplus solar power from the summer months for the energy-intensive winter. At the same time, the Jenbacher plant in Gampern is an important showcase project for the subsequent upscaling and gradual replacement of natural gas with hydrogen – and thus for the transition to purely emission-free power generation all year.
“With our hydrogen energy solution, we are supporting RAG Austria in transforming the energy value chain. Together, we are demonstrating how the decarbonization of communities and industrial sites is possible,” said Dr. Andreas Kunz, INNIO Group's chief technology officer.
“With the help of Jenbacher technology, we are able to decouple the generation of renewable energy from its consumption, thus enabling sustainable security of supply all year round,” said Markus Mitteregger, CEO of RAG Austria AG.
