Climate technology "Methane Electrolysis"

Montanuniversität Leoben is involved in Austria's first demonstration plant for the use of natural gas without CO2 emissions for the production of hydrogen and solid carbon.

Rector Peter Moser (2nd left) at the Press conference in Kremsmünster (RAG Austria /APA-Photo service/ Krügl Photographer: Eric Krügl)

The RAG plant was officially opened, from left to right: Markus Achleitner, Upper Austrian State Councillor for Economic Affairs and Research, Markus Mitteregger, CEO, Magnus Brunner, Jens Hanke, founder and Managing Director of Graforce GmbH. (RAG Austria /APA-Photo service/ Krügl Photographer: Eric Krügl)

Montanuniversität Leoben is involved in Austria's first demonstration plant for the use of natural gas without CO2 emissions for the production of hydrogen and solid carbon.

- Test operation of the innovative climate technology "methane electrolysis" for a climate-friendly, crisis-proof supply of raw materials without CO2 emissions in Upper Austria:
- Production of hydrogen and solid carbon - for industry and agriculture
- Storable hydrogen: summer sun for winter heat - electricity generation in winter and use as a raw material in industry
- High-purity carbon: starting material for soil improvement in agriculture and valuable raw material for various industries
- Efficient use of renewable energy to make solar and wind production secure and storable

Implementation of climate technology in Upper Austria

In the model region for 100 percent green energy supply, the RAG Energy Valley in Krift near Kremsmünster (Upper Austria), Austria's first methane electrolysis plant in an industrial environment is being put into operation today in the presence of Federal Minister Magnus Brunner, Head of Section Jürgen Schneider of the BMK and Upper Austrian Provincial Councillor for Economic Affairs and Research Markus Achleitner. With this pioneering climate technology, the raw material methane (natural gas) will in future be broken down into hydrogen and high-purity, solid carbon at the Kremsmünster site without CO2 emissions using solar power. This climate-friendly energy and raw material innovation will not only provide storable and climate-neutral hydrogen from a single source, but also the currently scarce raw material "solid carbon", which is important for agriculture and other diverse uses in industry.

"Climate protection is one of the central tasks of our generation. Our goals are ambitious: 100% renewable electricity in and from Austria by 2030 and climate neutrality in Austria by 2040 - ten years ahead of the EU. To achieve these climate targets, we need investment, innovation and cooperation. In any case, we must not concentrate on just a few technologies, but must remain open to all technologies. With Austria's first demonstration plant that uses natural gas without CO2 emissions for the production of hydrogen and solid, elemental carbon, RAG is focusing precisely on this openness to technology, which is so urgently needed: hydrogen makes an important contribution to year-round security of supply - at the same time, the high-quality carbon obtained is a valuable raw material for agriculture, batteries, computer chips and carbon fibers. A win-win situation for the climate and the location," says Mining Minister Magnus Brunner.

"At RAG Energy Valley in Krift near Kremsmünster, we are demonstrating how regions and urban centers can be supplied with green energy all year round. In addition to the storage and production of hydrogen from water, the climate technology "methane electrolysis" is another key element and a milestone for the energy transition. The natural gas from our own domestic production is broken down into CO2-neutral solid carbon, which is important for agriculture and industry, and storable, climate-friendly hydrogen with the help of solar power, which we also produce here on site," says Markus Mitteregger, CEO of RAG Austria AG, emphasizing the importance of this pioneering technology.

A major advantage of this technology compared to alternative ways of producing renewable hydrogen is its significantly lower energy consumption.
This innovative air conditioning technology was developed by Graforce GmbH from Berlin - it is being implemented and optimized on an industrial scale for the first time in Austria by RAG Austria AG. "Hydrogen is the key to a CO2-neutral economy. Our modular plants enable the production of CO2-free hydrogen with high efficiency and lower infrastructure costs. The technology we have developed closes important material cycles, enables key industries to achieve greater sustainability and climate protection and is economical at the same time. We are seeing great international interest in this technology and are delighted about the joint showcase project with RAG Austria," explains Jens Hanke, founder and Managing Director of Graforce GmbH.

Subsequently, the hydrogen produced can be stored seasonally in RAG energy storage facilities such as the "Underground Sun Storage" in Pilsbach and Gampern or used as industrial hydrogen. At the RAG H2 cogeneration plant (CHP) in Krift near Kremsmünster, Austria's first 100% hydrogen power plant, this climate-neutral hydrogen is used to supply the RAG site with its own electricity and heat. In the coming winters, the surplus energy can also be used to supply up to 800 households in the Kremsmünster region with green district heating and green electricity.

Wonder material - solid carbon

Initial results on the agricultural use of carbon are available:

Due to intensive agricultural use in recent decades, up to 50% of the carbon in the soil has been lost through erosion or humus loss. Climate change is adding further challenges, e.g. long periods of drought. The use of carbon from "methane electrolysis" offers great potential to improve soil quality and thus ensure sustainable agricultural production. Otherwise, there is a risk of massive crop failures in the coming decades and thus a threat to food security. Our results from several glasshouse and field trials show that carbon improves plant nutrient availability and drought stress resistance. By adding nutrient-rich residues (e.g. compost or liquid manure), a valuable fertilizer can also be generated. In the next series of trials, the effect will be extended to different soil types and other crops, taking into account current and expected climate changes. Based on these promising research results, RAG and RWA (Raiffeisen Ware Austria) now intend to intensify the existing cooperation, especially in product development. "In view of the current and future challenges of global change and global warming, carbon from methane electrolysis can make an important contribution to safeguarding soil quality and agricultural production," emphasizes Markus Puschenreiter, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna.

High potential for a wide range of applications

In addition, solid carbon is a valuable raw material for the sustainable production of building structures, batteries, computer chips, carbon fibers and for the production of carbon-based materials. They are used in numerous sectors such as medical technology, aerospace, sports and leisure and the high-tech industry.
A total of around 120 scientists at Montanuniversität Leoben are currently conducting research in this core research area. Since 2022, the numerous activities at 25 chairs have been centrally coordinated in the Strategic Core Research Area "Hydrogen and Carbon".

The solid carbon produced during methane decomposition also opens up a wide range of new applications and fields of research, especially for sustainable agriculture and forestry," says Peter Moser, designated Rector of the University of Leoben, enthusiastically about the ongoing development in this area. "The close cooperation with external partners such as RAG and BOKU makes it possible to bundle individual specialist competencies and thus forms the basis for targeted and, above all, application-oriented research."
"Especially for Upper Austria as the No. 1 economic and industrial state, hydrogen is a decisive key factor in making the location even more fit for the future. It is therefore all the more pleasing that RAG is setting another milestone towards a CO2-neutral economy here in Upper Austria with its 'Energy Valley' in Krift near Kremsmünster with the CO2-free production of hydrogen. Following the Underground Sun Storage in Rubensdorf/Gampern and the hydrogen cogeneration plant also in Krift near Kremsmünster, RAG is now launching Austria's first demo plant in which hydrogen and solid carbon are produced from natural gas using methane electrolysis without generating CO2 emissions.

This demonstration plant is an important building block for the transformation of the energy system towards renewable sources. Our province in particular is actively driving this change with the Upper Austrian Hydrogen Offensive 2030 in the fields of transformation of energy-intensive industry, materials technologies and seasonal energy storage. Our own Upper Austrian hydrogen research center will be launched in Wels in November, in which we will invest six million euros from the state of Upper Austria in the first implementation step," says Upper Austrian State Councillor for Economic Affairs and Research Markus Achleitner.

"This summer, with a large number of extreme weather events such as heatwaves and flooding, has impressively demonstrated the need to implement rapid climate protection measures. In addition to the widespread implementation of existing technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, this also requires research and innovation. Methane electrolysis technology is an option for producing climate-neutral hydrogen and - if biomethane is used - even has the potential for negative carbon emissions. The sustainable use of this elementary carbon is of crucial importance in terms of full resource utilization. On behalf of the BMK, a broad consortium led by the University of Leoben has looked at numerous aspects of this: The nature of carbon, its use in building materials and in agriculture as well as possible economic repercussions," says Head of Section Jürgen Schneider - Federal Ministry for Climate Protection.

Here is the Link to the video from RAG: https://mediathek.rag-austria.at/#videos-59