For the latest technology demonstration projects, the Zurich-based utilities plan to contribute market intelligence and financial support.
As part of the deal, Erdgas Zürich and ewz will be joining existing partners Aarhus University, E.ON, and NEAS on the steering committee of the Foulum project.
The Foulum project, which is located at Aarhus University’s Biogas Research Center in Denmark, is a 250kW power-to-gas demonstration project.
Electrochaea said the Danish Energy Agency’s EUDP technology demonstration project is partially sponsoring the Foulum project.
Commenting on the collaboration, ewz managing director Marcel Frei said, "Having invested heavily in renewable energy, we understand the technical difficulties posed by the transition to a low-carbon economy, especially with regards to the energy storage challenge."
Erdgas Zürich chief executive Kurt Lüscher noted that the potential of power-to-gas technology goes beyond energy storage.
"This technology would allow us to produce large quantities of renewable gas and to inject it into the existing natural gas grid," Lüscher added.
"From there, it can be extracted not only for electricity generation but also for heating and cooking and for the propulsion of gas-fueled vehicles."
Commenting on the partnership for the project, Electrochaea business development VP Dominic Hofstetter stated, "Their financial and in-kind contributions to the Foulum Project will allow us to execute the project swiftly and in strong alignment with the market’s needs."
