At AMAG, virtually nothing works without natural gas. How will the transition to electricity and hydrogen proceed successfully at the aluminum producer in Ranshofen? We asked CEO Helmut Kaufmann that. One thing is clear: the first concrete steps are being taken, but at the same time patience is also needed.
Since the outbreak of war in February 2022, a wide variety of threat scenarios surrounding a cessation of gas supplies from Russia have become ubiquitous. At the end of the year, Ukraine wants to turn off the tap to Russian gas flowing through its country – a decision that apparently cannot be changed. And then what? Many people in Austria are wondering about this, as almost all gas imports currently come from this direction.
Two thirds gas, one third electricity
Companies are under great pressure to find alternatives. The Schärdinger cheese factory in Feldkirchen near Mattighofen has started using a wood chip heating system that is intended to achieve independence. And what does AMAG do? The aluminum producer needs two-thirds of the energy in Ranshofen in the form of gas and one-third in the form of electricity.
“Green energy is the most efficient and cleanest solution”
The people of Innviertel are working on solutions according to their own roadmap for a low-carbon economy. “Switching from gas to green energy is the most efficient and cleanest solution,” says CEO Helmut Kaufmann. This could be possible at AMAG in almost all areas, but not in all areas.
Hydrogen creates pores
In the foundry, the gas could eventually be replaced by hydrogen, but that brings challenges. “This creates pores,” says Kaufmann. The first tests with hydrogen burners were completed last year, “we now know which way to go”. This means: research work is needed.
At the same time, AMAG has already ordered two electric ovens for the heat treatment of sheet metal. “We see this as a pilot project,” explains the CEO, “each oven behaves differently, we also have to develop different recipes. It doesn’t work like a light switch: you just turn one off and the other on.”
Source: Krone
I’m Ben Stock, a journalist and author at Today Times Live. I specialize in economic news and have been working in the news industry for over five years. My experience spans from local journalism to international business reporting. In my career I’ve had the opportunity to interview some of the world’s leading economists and financial experts, giving me an insight into global trends that is unique among journalists.
