Hydrogen Prospects for the Kiel Coastal Power Plant
The Kiel Coastal Power Plant, operated by Stadtwerke Kiel, is a modern gas-engine combined heat and power plant that has been in operation since November 2019 and was officially inaugurated in January 2020. With an electrical output of 191 MW and a thermal output of 200 MW, it contributes to the supply of electricity and district heating in the Kiel region. Through combined heat and power (CHP), the heat generated is utilized in addition to the electricity produced.
An important aspect of the coastal power plant’s future direction is the planned conversion to 100 percent hydrogen operation by 2035. To this end, Stadtwerke Kiel is collaborating with the engine manufacturer INNIO. The transition is intended to replace natural gas as a fuel; the potential reduction in greenhouse gas emissions depends in particular on the production and supply of hydrogen.
A connection to the hydrogen infrastructure is planned to ensure future supply. Together with other measures, such as the expansion of large-scale heat pumps, the transition is expected to reduce emissions from Kiel’s heat supply.