Since 2014, the IET Institute for Energy Technology at the OST – University of Applied Sciences of Eastern Switzerland has been conducting power-to-gas and power-to-X research. The focus is on the production of renewable fuels and the seasonal storage of renewable electricity. Power-to-X is used to produce synthetic chemicals and energy sources such as hydrogen, methane, methanol or kerosene from electricity, water and carbon dioxide or nitrogen. These technologies help to replace fossil fuels and thus reduce greenhouse gas emissions. OST is celebrating ten years of research in these fields with a retrospective. Power-to-X has now become an integral part of OST’s energy and environmental engineering programmes, as well as its research and continuing education, and is firmly anchored in its interdisciplinary approach.
2014/2015: Development phase and first projects
The years 2014 to 2016 were characterised by development and fundamental research. A small research team of two people built the first pilot and demonstration plant and carried out research. The first successes included the optimisation of electrolysis technology, which splits water into oxygen and hydrogen. This technology forms the basis for the production of green hydrogen, a key element for all Power-to-X processes.
2016–2018: Infrastructure expansion
In 2016, synthetically produced natural gas was fed into the Swiss gas grid for the first time to demonstrate the application of methanisation as an energy storage method using the existing gas infrastructure. The expansion of the research infrastructure has led to the initiation of larger-scale demonstration projects. A control centre, laboratory and biogas filling station have been added and put into operation, along with a CO₂ extractor that filters the CO₂ required for gas production directly from the air. Research into high-temperature electrolysis and several research projects, some of which are EU-funded, have attracted a great deal of public attention to the Power-to-X research facility.
In May 2014, the first ‘Power-to-X Expert Talks’ conference was held, which has since become a key meeting place for the Power-to-X community in Switzerland.
2019/2020: High-level visit, international networking
In 2019, the Power-to-X research facility received a high-level visit from the then Federal Councillor Simonetta Sommaruga. By the end of 2020, the research team had grown to twelve people, the current projects were expanding, and the teams at OST are now conducting research as an integral part of the emerging international Power-to-X community. The coronavirus pandemic made the work more difficult, but it continued nonetheless.
2021–2024: Larger projects, more researchers
After ten years of PtX research, the research facility and team are in greater demand than ever for further projects. Today, 18 researchers are working on eight major research projects. In addition to the IET, other institutes are represented at the research facility with their own laboratory and test equipment. The facility has since been expanded to include a two-story container building. The latest addition is a mobile, modular hydrogen filling station developed at the IET.
The OST climate cluster is also celebrating an anniversary: in 2024, it will be five years old and today it combines the knowledge in the areas of climate protection and climate adaptation of more than 24 research institutes. More information at ost.ch/klimacluster