Leuna relies on green energy: New system revolutionizes heat supply!

Leuna relies on green energy: New system revolutionizes heat supply!

There is exciting news at the Leuna chemical site: A 35-megawatt electrode boiler has finally arrived and was lifted into the prepared steel structure using a special crane. This action was the result of months of planning and represents a big step towards sustainable energy production. The details are reported MDR.

The impressive boiler weighs a whopping 33 tons and will be part of a newly emerging gas turbine power plant and an innovative power-to-heat system that is being constructed jointly by InfraLeuna and 50Hertz Transmission GmbH. This system has the potential to convert electrical energy into heat and thus make an important contribution to reducing CO₂ emissions. The goal? The companies in Leuna should become more independent of the often fluctuating energy markets.

How does the new system work?

The power-to-heat system converts excess electricity from wind and solar energy into steam at temperatures up to 320 degrees. You can imagine it like a huge kettle that simply “runs” when there is always enough electricity. Heat is needed in large quantities in Leuna, and that's exactly where this technology comes into play.

The planned test operation for this system is scheduled for February 2026, which should signal the start of long-term, commercial operation by May 2026. This development clearly shows that the industry is very popular when it comes to sustainable solutions that not only support climate protection, but also make economic sense.

Heat pumps as a supplement

Heat pumps, which are considered another type of power-to-heat technology, are also interesting in this context. These devices do not use electricity directly to generate heat, but rather power themselves. Using a clever system, they raise environmental heat from various sources such as air, groundwater or soil to a higher temperature level. Amazingly, with every kilowatt hour of electricity used, you can generate three to four times as much useful heat. You can find more details about this in an article by Enercity.

Heat pumps are particularly popular in new residential buildings - according to Statista, almost 50 percent of all new buildings are already equipped with them. This clearly shows that the trend is towards sustainable energy production and use. It remains to be seen how developments in Leuna will continue and what impact this will have on the entire region.

Overall, the entire energy industry is required to find new ways to meet the challenges of the future. Projects like those in Leuna are laying the foundation for sustainable and environmentally friendly energy production. Let's hope that these initiatives set a precedent not only locally, but also nationally!