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Stuttgart-Feuerbach EnBW heating plant

Setting the course for a hydrogen-based energy supply

Fuel cells and hydrogen have been a focus of research at EnBW for many years. EnBW and Bosch are collaborating in a pilot project at the Stuttgart-Feuerbach heating plant operated under the responsibility of EnBW Contracting GmbH. Together we are testing our Bosch solid oxide fuel cell system.

EnBW staff members in front of the SOFC system at the Stuttgart-Feuerbach heating plant

The Stuttgart-Feuerbach heating plant has been operated and maintained since 1988 by EnBW Contracting GmbH, a full subsidiary of EnBW. The facility is equipped with three boilers and provides the Bosch manufacturing location in Feuerbach with an uninterrupted heat supply for process and space heating.

Our Bosch SOFC system (solid oxide fuel cell) is being tested to cover the site’s own electricity needs and preheat the required additional water, collecting detailed information about robustness, durability and efficiency as well as the requirements and processes involved in planning, installation and operation over a period of three years. This provides us with important insights for future series units and their optimal areas of application.

SOFC system as a building block for the energy transition

As a decentralized power generator, the SOFC system is flexible and can be used directly at the place of consumption in the future. Efficient, low-noise and low-emission, the systems today run on natural gas, making use of the existing infrastructure. As a future prospect, the systems can run directly on hydrogen for power and heat generation without any carbon emissions. The high electrical efficiency of 60 percent promises a wide range of applications with future potential.

Further benefits of our SOFC fuel cell system
The SOFC system is immediately ready to run on natural gas and biomethane, with the result that CO₂ emissions from the power supply are significantly lower than those of conventional power plants. Using a mix of natural gas and hydrogen reduces CO₂ emissions even further. When operated with green hydrogen, produced with electricity from renewable energies, there are no local carbon emissions during operation.
The SOFC system is immediately ready to run on natural gas and biomethane, with the result that CO₂ emissions from the power supply are significantly lower than those of conventional power plants. Using a mix of natural gas and hydrogen reduces CO₂ emissions even further. When operated with green hydrogen, produced with electricity from renewable energies, there are no local carbon emissions during operation.

Digital twin for system monitoring

EnBW staff member with an iPad in front of the Bosch SOFC pilot system.
Source: EnBW Contracting GmbH, Real-time monitoring of collected data thanks to remote access

A virtual copy of the fuel cell ensures transparency in system monitoring: the digital twin. The service and maintenance staff can use it to access data at any time and control the SOFC system in real time. This allows the contracting team of EnBW to always have an overview of the entire setup into which the SOFC system is integrated – even remotely. All operating data can be displayed and processed live via a secure internet connection.

Together with EnBW, we are preparing the use of the fuel cell systems in a future hydrogen economy with this practical test of our SOFC system.

These modular and easily scalable fuel cell systems also hold great potential for a wide range of municipal and commercial applications in addition to industrial use.

Markus Edel, group expert from the research department of EnBW

Overview of our pilot application at a glance

Goal

Gaining insights into robustness, durability and efficiency of fuel cell systems, preparing the application in a future hydrogen economy.

Area of application

Heating plant. Covering its own electricity needs and preheating the required additional water.

Installation site

Stuttgart-Feuerbach heating plant. Since 1992, EnBW has been supplying the Bosch facility with heat in the form of steam.

Figures and development goals of the SOFC system in the Stuttgart-Feuerbach heating plant
  1. installed SOFC units
  2. kW electrical energy (nominal)
  3. kW thermal energy
  4. percent electrical efficiency
  5. percent overall efficiency
  6. percent coverage of on-site electricity needs

The Bosch SOFC system is currently in the pilot phase. All technical specifications given are development objectives and refer to the beginning of life.

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