A 2MW power-to-gas (P2G) pilot system which will help store excess wind generated from turbines in the gas grid has been inaugurated in eastern Germany.

Located in Falkenhagen, the plant (pictured) will use the wind power to transform water into hydrogen via a process called electrolysis – a technology considered key to storing excess renewable energy.

The unit, installed by E.ON, can produce up to 360 cubic metres of hydrogen per hour and will be injected into the regional gas transmission system for use in heating, power generation and industrial processes.

Dr. Philipp Rösler, Germany’s Economics Minister said: “One of the biggest challenges of transforming Germany’s energy system is finding ways to integrate the increasing share of intermittent, renewable-source energy.

“To ensure that Germany’s power system remains stable and that our economy continues to have the energy it needs, we not only have to rapidly expand energy networks; we also need innovative solutions like the P2G unit here in Falkenhagen.”

German utility RWE Power is also testing a system to store energy from wind generation.