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Power to Gas

04:19

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June 28, 2015

Germany wants to derive 80 percent of its electricity from renewable energy sources by 2050. Experts disagree as to whether that's realistic. Solar and wind energy production are dependent on the weather. Energy storage technologies are necessary to bridge gaps and take up surplus. One is called power-to-gas.

Surplus electricity and water are used to produce hydrogen, which is then combined with carbon dioxide from the air to produce methane, which can be stored and distributed easily. When there's not enough supply, the process is reversed: methane is burned in gas power stations, producing CO2, steam and electricity. Tomorrow Today looks into power-to-gas.