CHP symposium in Duisburg: Energy revolution for the future!

CHP symposium in Duisburg: Energy revolution for the future!

The 23rd Duisburg CHP Symposium will take place on June 11, 2025, which will deal intensively with the topic of combined heat and power (CHP). The organizers are the Chair of Energy Technology at the University of Duisburg-Essen and the Federal Association for Combined Heat and Power. In times of unrest in the energy industry, security of supply is the focus of discussions, particularly with regard to the role of CHP systems when wind turbines and solar systems are shut down. A central topic will also be the conversion to renewable fuels such as hydrogen, which could further increase the climate friendliness of these technologies. uni-due.de reports that experts from science, industry and municipal sectors are expected to discuss current energy policy developments, scientific findings and practical applications.

Combined heat and power is a key technology for the energy transition in Germany. The systems produce electricity and heat at the same time, with the waste heat being used sensibly, for example for heating, hot water preparation or industrial processes. In 2023, around 110 terawatt hours of electricity were generated from cogeneration plants in Germany, which accounts for around 21 percent of net electricity. Around 60 percent of these systems supply local and district heating networks, 30 percent are used in industry and 10 percent in buildings. Umweltbundesamt.de highlights that cogeneration technology acts as part of a sustainable energy system and contributes to increasing energy efficiency and reducing CO₂ emissions.

Regulatory framework conditions

An important aspect that will be discussed at the symposium is the legal situation and planning security for companies in the area of ​​cogeneration. Loud bmwk.de The amended Combined Heat and Power Act allows new plants to be built until the end of 2026, but there is uncertainty about possible extensions of the funding conditions. The framework conditions for cogeneration must be realigned in order to further advance the development and expansion of this important technology.

Germany is pursuing the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80 to 95 percent by 2050 compared to 1990. In this context, CHP plays a crucial role as it is more efficient than uncoupled generation and provides both electricity and heat. The electricity sector is expected to be largely fossil-free by 2030, which increases pressure on CHP plants to modernize and offer flexible solutions. Innovative CHP systems that integrate renewable heat are required to achieve climate goals. bmwk.de

Future of CHP

The challenges that CHP plants face are diverse. Falling heat requirements and the need to integrate renewable heat more closely require adaptation of technologies. Consumers and industry must increasingly rely on thermal storage and flexibility solutions to ensure the integration of CHP into future energy supplies. The efficient use of fuels such as natural gas and biogas is crucial in order to achieve the primary energy savings of over 10 percent, which is a prerequisite for the promotion of CHP systems. Umweltbundesamt.de emphasizes the need to orient CHP flexibly to the electricity market.

The future of CHP is therefore closely linked to the changing framework conditions of energy supply in Germany, which should make a significant contribution to decarbonization.