Bilfinger is Constructing an XXL Heat Storage in Ulm

Customer:

Fernwärme Ulm (FUG)

Location:

Ulm

GermanyCorporateAustria

Markets:

EnergyHeat storage

Scope:

Fernwärme Ulm (FUG) faced the challenge of utilizing their facilities more efficiently and reducing dependency on fossil fuels. Additionally, there was a need to make heat production flexible to respond to fluctuations in the electricity market.

Services:

SustainabilityEfficiencyEngineeringConsultancyProject

Bilfinger constructed an 80-meter-high heat storage tower on the FUG site. The tower was built using a unique screw technique, allowing it to be erected from the bottom up without the use of cranes. The steel parts of the tower are each 10.4 meters long and 3.25 meters high. In total, the tower consists of 188 such plates, which were delivered by truck from the Bilfinger plant in Wels, Austria. These plates were slowly drawn sideways into the tower and welded, creating a continuous, slightly inclined band.

Added Value:

The heat storage enables FUG to better utilize and optimize their facilities. The storage allows heat to be stored when not needed and electricity to be produced when demand and prices are high. This leads to better resource utilization and reduced operating costs. In the long term, FUG expects the facility to be economically viable after about ten years and to contribute positively to the energy transition. The storage supports FUG in moving away from fossil fuels and transitioning to hydrogen and geothermal energy.