Amprion, one of Germany’s four major TSOs, has launched a tender for a 250MW decentralized grid booster project, featuring battery energy storage systems (BESS) at five substations. The project is part of Germany's Network Development Plan (NEP) 2023-2037/45, aiming to stabilize the grid, optimize power line usage, and save billions in operational costs annually.

📅 Key Dates:

Tender Opened: November 21, 2024

Submission Deadline: April 3, 2025

Contracts Awarded: Summer 2025

Operational Target: 2026

📌 Highlights:

Scope: Construction and operation of 250MW grid-supporting energy storage.

Hitachi Energy has signed contracts worth over €2 billion with Germany’s Amprion to deliver four HVDC converter stations for the V48 and V49 links, supporting Germany’s clean energy transition. These high-voltage systems, part of the Korridor B project, will transport 4 GW of renewable energy from the North Sea coast to the Ruhr region, powering 4 million people.

The converters, operating at 525 kV, are set to be operational by 2030, with potential future capacity expansion to 8 GW. This collaboration plays a vital role in Germany’s grid modernization and decarbonization efforts.

Photo Credit: Amprion

Iberdrola has signed a long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Schwenk Zement to supply 1,500 GWh of certified green electricity from the 315 MW Windanker offshore wind farm in Germany. This partnership will enable Schwenk to meet approximately 20% of its electricity needs from renewable sources, marking a significant step in its sustainability efforts.

The Windanker offshore wind farm, located 38 kilometers northeast of Rügen Island in the Baltic Sea, features 21 Siemens Gamesa 15 MW turbines and is expected to connect to the grid in 2026. This collaboration reflects Schwenk’s commitment to reducing CO2 emissions and increasing the share of renewable energy in its operations.

ExxonMobil has partnered with Worley, an Australian engineering and services leader, to develop a groundbreaking hydrogen and ammonia production facility in Baytown, Texas. With a daily production capacity of 28.3 million cubic meters (1 billion cubic feet) of blue hydrogen and 1 million metric tonnes of ammonia annually, this facility is set to become the largest of its kind globally.

Leveraging advanced carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies, the project will reduce over 98% of CO2 emissions, with its CCS infrastructure available to support third-party emitters. A final investment decision is expected in 2025, with operations anticipated to begin in 2029.

This innovative facility not only underscores ExxonMobil’s commitment to clean energy but also promises to drive U.S. job creation and community development across Houston and beyond. Blue hydrogen is expected to play a leading role in the energy transition, with multiple large-scale projects in the U.S. projected to reach critical investment decisions in the coming year.

Photo Credit: rogtecmagazine.com

German WELTEC BIOPOWER has partnered with Eco Sustainable Solutions Ltd. to construct a biomethane plant near Bournemouth Airport in southern England. The plant will process household waste and agricultural residues, converting them into biomethane that will be fed into the national gas grid by late 2025. Using advanced technologies like pump and agitator systems, along with membrane-based gas upgrading, the project aims for high efficiency and sustainability. The modular design ensures rapid completion within 18 months, while a web-based control system enables real-time monitoring. This project builds on their successful collaboration on a biogas plant in Dorset.