New engine and state-of-the-art technology for top performance

The gas compressor station in Scharenstetten near Ulm compresses gas to the pressure it needs to travel long distances. The station thus ensures that gas can be transported from Ulm to the state capital Stuttgart and to Lake Constance, to the Principality of Liechtenstein and Vorarlberg.

By using state-of-the-art gas turbine technology, the compressor station performance is improved by 60 % in total. In addition to this, the emissions produced are significantly under statutory limits.

Since 1988, the gas compressor station has been an important nodal point in the terranets bw transmission system, which significantly contributes to a secure supply of energy. In the spring of 2017, the station was extended by a fourth compression unit.

In the middle of March 2020, work began on replacing two existing compression units with modern, more powerful machine units. In summer, installation of the first of the two modern compression units took place. The necessary integration work could be completed in spring 2021. Subsequently, installation of the second new compression unit began. Commissioning could be completed in spring 2022. Both new machine units are now ready for transporting gas.

On 22 October, Freiburg Regional Council granted terranets bw approval fto operate the compressor units. So-called test runs have been completed in the meantime and the compressor station could begin normal operation.

Gas compressor station in Scharenstetten

The compressor station in Scharenstetten: installation of two modern, powerful drives completed by spring 2022; in October 2022, Freiburg Regional Council granted terranetw bw approval to operate the compressor units.

Current timeline

October 2022

Freiburg Regional Council granted terranets bw approval to operate the compressor units

since spring 2022

Use of the second new machine unit for transporting gas

from spring 2021

Use of the first of two new machine units for transporting gas

summer 2020

Installation of the first of two modern, powerful machine units

March 2020

Works begin

Data and facts

1988 commissioning of compressor station in Scharenstetten
Size of station: ~ 25,000 m²
Drive: 4 gas turbines
2021/2022 use of two new drives for transporting gas
60% increase in maximum transport capacity of the compressor station through development measures

Questions and answers

How does a gas compressor station work?
How does a gas compressor station work?
Travelling through underground pipelines, gas reaches the compressor station with a pressure of 40 bar. Firstly, dust and moisture are filtered out. And then the gas is passed into the compressor and there brought to the required pressure. A turbine or electric engine supplies the energy needed for the compression process.
During compression, the gas heats up to 70 °C and is therefore fed through gas coolers that cool it back down to operating temperature. The gas is then fed through a measuring section before being injected back into the transmission system of terranets bw with a pressure of 80 bar.
Who approves development of the gas compressor station?
Who approves development of the gas compressor station?
Development measures require public-law permission according to the Federal Immission Control Act (German: BImSchG). The competent approval authority is the Freiburg Regional Council. The community of Dornstadt and the Alb-Donau-Kreis district authorities were involved in the procedure. In order to achieve broad consensus with all stakeholders, terranets bw also involved the affected communities and other stakeholders at an early stage.
How much space is needed by the development project?
How much space is needed by the development project?
During the development measures, the construction site and storage areas for building equipment and materials already established will continue to be used. As the new compression units will be installed instead of two existing compression units, no additional space will be required outside the existing plant.
Will the gas compressor station change its appearance?
Will the gas compressor station change its appearance?
Replacing two existing compression units with modern, more powerful machine units will not change the appearance as the development work will take place inside the existing building. The characteristic four chimneys of the gas compressor station will remain.
How long will construction take?
How long will construction take?
In the middle of March 2020, work began to replace two existing compression units with modern, more powerful drives. In the summer of 2020, the first of the two modern compression units was installed. After completion of the necessary integration works, this unit is expected to be used for transporting gas in the spring of 2021. Subsequently, installation of the second compression unit will begin, which is expected to be completed by spring 2022.
What restrictions should local residents expect during the construction phase?
What restrictions should local residents expect during the construction phase?
During development measures, the construction site and storage areas for building equipment and materials outside the gas compressor station will continue to be used. Near to the construction works, increased traffic and higher noise pollution resulting from deliveries to the construction site can be expected from mid-March 2020. However, the noise pollution will not affect residential areas closest to the site.
From the end of March 2020, there is a speed limit in front of the entrance to the gas compressor station and the road "Vor dem Hochwang" between the construction site and storage areas and the gas compressor station is temporarily closed.