ZSW & Gifu University join forces working on PV Grid Integration & Power-to-Gas

The Centre for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Württemberg (ZSW) and Japan's Gifu University have joined forces to collaborate closely in energy research. Projects will focus on the intelligent integration of photovoltaics into the grid, production forecasts, and green power-to-gas (P2G®) energy storage. The idea behind this partnership in science is to accelerate the technology transfer in both countries, thereby helping to reshape the energy landscape after Fukushima. The new coalition is built on solid ground: Both partners conduct research in the same fields and their skill-sets are a good match. The agreement to cooperate was reached in late March during a visit in Japan.

The Gifu Prefecture on the main island of Honshu and the state of Baden-Württemberg have long nurtured their political and economic ties. This relationship is now to be carried over into energy research, where the two countries have much to learn from each other. “We are very pleased to be partnering with Gifu University's Center for Next Generation Energy,” says Prof. Frithjof Staiß, Managing Director at ZSW. “This collaboration makes it easier to share experiences and creates better conditions for an efficient transfer of research results into the marketplace.”

On the agenda, the future of energy supply

Grid management is a prime example of an area targeted for cooperation. Photovoltaic systems' popularity surged last year in Japan, with output soaring to a total of some 23,000 megawatts by the end of 2014. Concerned about stability issues in their grids, local energy suppliers are viewing the booming photovoltaics market with skepticism. By teaming up with the German institute, the Japanese researchers expect to benefit from the lessons learned in Germany, where the installed capacity is 16,000 megawatts higher and the integration of solar power into the distribution network is well on track.

Both partners are also striving to improve forecasts for solar and wind power generation. These predictions have to be reliable to ensure the stable and efficient operation of an electrical power supply system that draws on fluctuating energy sources. Gifu University and ZSW complement each other very well in their efforts to forecast weather and production quantities. The partners intend to pursue joint projects aimed to boost their models' accuracy.

The partners also intend to share their insights into green P2G® energy storage technology. The increasing number of fuel cells in Japan is driving demand for hydrogen that can be used in energy converters. A renewable electricity source and water can serve to generate hydrogen by electrolysis without producing carbon that adversely affects the climate. This is one stage of the P2G® technology developed largely in the ZSW labs. Gifu University officials are talking about building a power-to-gas plant. The Stuttgart-based scientists will be able to provide valuable assistance if this project goes ahead.