E.ON, in partnership with MM Neuss (Mayr-Melnhof Karton Group), has successfully commissioned a cutting-edge combined heat and power (CHP) plant, establishing a new benchmark for industrial energy infrastructure in Europe. This marks the first time a CHP plant of this size is being fully operated through an intelligent control system and managed in a market-oriented way, thanks to the innovative E.ON IQ Energy solution.
Located at the MM Neuss cartonboard production site, the new plant ensures a reliable, flexible, and efficient supply of electricity and heat. It reflects a forward-looking model for the energy transition—low-emission, economically sound, and built to meet the demands of modern industry. “With the CHP plant in Neuss, we are setting new standards for sustainable energy supply in the industry. By combining state-of-the-art CHP technology, digitized control with E.ON IQ Energy®, and hydrogen readiness, we are creating a future-proof infrastructure. The system is more than just a power plant – it is a beacon of modern energy infrastructure and demonstrates how industrial partners can be reliably, flexibly, and efficiently supported on their path to climate neutrality,” said a Manfred Wirsing, member of the management board of E.ON Energy Projects GmbH.
The plant’s key innovation lies in its high degree of automation. The E.ON IQ Energy system integrates the power plant, production processes, and grid connection in real time. It reacts dynamically to fluctuations in market prices, operational changes, and technical conditions. This full digital integration allows the plant to run unattended for up to 72 hours, with intelligent software managing start-up, shutdown, and partial load operation autonomously. This ensures consistently optimized performance, both operationally and economically.
The power plant has also been designed for hydrogen use from the outset. It can already operate with a fuel mix containing up to 10 percent hydrogen. Looking ahead, it can be converted to run on 100 percent hydrogen, a vital step toward achieving a climate-neutral energy supply.
