Hybrid power plants combine various fuels – gas is the classic example – with renewables in order to make the power plants not only more responsive to load fluctuations but to increase their efficiency.
There are hybrid power plants that use several renewable energy sources in combination. Wind and biomass supplement each other well: if there is a lull in the wind, it is not possible to generate electricity with a wind turbine. However, it is then possible to resort to biomass, which is used to generate the necessary electricity.
Hybrid power plants therefore ensure that consistently stable energy volumes can be generated that always meet the electricity requirements. If solar energy and natural gas are combined with each other, this enables electricity to be generated at night or when there is heavy cloud.
Hybrid power plantsBalancing out load fluctuations with “hybrid” systems
Projects currently being funded
CO2 storage facilities
CO2 capture in oxyfuel coal-fired power plants
Higher pressure and lower flow losses in turbines
Capturing CO2 using coal gasification
CO2 scrubbing (post-combustion capture)
Hydrogen gas turbines
Higher temperatures in turbines
CO2 capture using lime or metal (looping)
Separating gases using membranes
Lignite drying
More flexibility for low-emission coal-fired power plants
International cooperation
More efficient generators thanks to nanoparticles
Micro gas turbines
Turbine combustion that produces lower amounts of harmful substances
CO2 compressors
Comparison of power plant systems
Efficiency of over 60% for the Irsching gas and steam power plant
Materials of construction for steam temperatures of over 700 °C
Storing electricity using compressed air
High-temperature heat storage systems for flexible CCGT power plants