In brief
STROMIKA is developing a bioelectrochemical process that converts CO₂ from biogas into chemicals and protein using microorganisms and renewable electricity. This approach enables the utilisation of surplus electricity, improves biomethane quality and creates new value from existing biogas plants – as a scalable solution for climate-neutral and circular chemistry.
What we’re working on
Motivation
The energy transition is leading to an increasing share of renewable energy – and consequently to more and more periods when there is a surplus of electricity. At the same time, the biogas sector generates large quantities of CO₂, which have so far been utilised only to a limited extent. STROMIKA addresses both challenges: surplus electricity and CO₂ are utilised together as resources. The aim is to replace fossil raw materials in the chemical industry whilst integrating existing infrastructure – particularly biogas plants – into sustainable carbon utilisation. In this process, CO₂ is no longer regarded as waste, but as a key building block for new value chains.
Innovationsansatz
At the heart of the project is a novel bioelectrochemical biorefinery in which microorganisms grow directly on electrodes and convert electrical energy directly into chemical products. The core of the system is the bacterium Kyrpidia spormannii, which uses CO₂ as a carbon source and, with the aid of electricity, builds up biomass and target products. This approach offers several key advantages over conventional processes:
- Direct use of electricity without the need for hydrogen as an intermediate
- Robust processes thanks to extremophile microorganisms
- High flexibility through targeted genetic optimisation
This is complemented by innovative electrode materials, new reactor concepts and scalable processes for product processing.
Implementation and added value
The process is being progressively transferred from the laboratory to practical application and tested in a demonstrator directly at a biogas plant. This enables early validation under real-world conditions and with industrially relevant material flows. The technology facilitates several value-added pathways:
- Chemicals production: production of butanone (methyl ethyl ketone) as an alternative to fossil raw materials
- Protein production: use of biomass as a sustainable source of protein
- Energy utilisation: conversion of electricity peaks into storable products
- System integration: improvement of existing biogas processes
Furthermore, STROMIKA strengthens the technological basis for bioelectrochemical production systems and, in the long term, opens up new applications – for example, for other CO₂ sources or additional bio-based products. Overall, the project bridges the gap between the energy, bio-based and chemical sectors, thereby making an important contribution to industrial decarbonisation.
STROMIKA in figures
In this project, the TUHH is responsible for the development and optimisation of Kyrpidia spormannii strains for the efficient synthesis of platform chemicals in bioelectrical systems. In addition, the design and construction of a test reactor for a process demonstration at a real biogas plant is being carried out here. Another key focus is on the functionalisation of the electrodes to improve microbial-electrochemical interactions. Furthermore, the spray-drying methodology is being further developed to efficiently process the resulting biomass.
Whitecell Eisenhuth possesses extensive expertise in the development and manufacture of electrochemical components and systems for fuel cells and electrolysers. As part of the project, the company is responsible for manufacturing the required, bespoke electrode structures.
Subcontractor
Biogas Wittmund specializes in the anaerobic digestion of waste materials and supports the project by providing biogas samples for the further development of the Kyrpidia spormannii biocatalyst in the laboratory. In addition, the company’s biogas plant serves as a demonstration site where the developed technology can be tested and validated under real-world conditions.
