Sustainable Synergy: Bridging the Gap With Hydrogen to Gas Turbine Technology

Following the hottest month ever recorded, August has delivered a host of high-impact weather events including continued heat waves, unprecedented wildfires, and disrupting floods. According to the World Meteorological Organization, this is our new normal. And while further research is needed to fully understand these extremes, industry experts agree that human-induced climate change is a large contributor to this crisis.

As these extreme weather patterns intensify and the global energy crisis continues, there is no better time to make bold moves towards implementing smart, practical decarbonization solutions that can transform traditionally carbon-heavy sectors. The global energy mix is still dominated by fossil fuels, favored for their ability to provide steady power in large quantities. Now, we need green energy technologies that can provide the same levels of power while adapting to the requirements of a more sustainable, future-friendly grid. Hydrogen is a hopeful contender, as it can be burned as a fuel with no carbon emissions. So, what if we could harness this plentiful resource to power our global energy needs?

Developments in renewable energy technology are placing us closer to living in this reality by advancing hydrogen’s applications in our existing energy infrastructure. With co-firing hydrogen to gas turbine technology, or H2GT, energy providers can now make use of the gas-fired power infrastructure we already have to deliver the more sustainable energy that we need. Read on to find out how this promising decarbonization solution is contributing to a shift in the energy landscape.

Backed by Hanwha’s pioneering efforts in this space, advancements in H2GT are well underway. The company was recently the world’s first to demonstrate a hydrogen co-firing rate of 60 percent in an 80-megawatt-class gas turbine — the highest co-firing rate recorded on gas turbines with commercial capabilities. Hanwha reported a 22 percent decrease in CO2 emissions compared to LNG-fired turbines and recorded nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions at 6 parts per million, a mere 30 percent of the acceptable limit according to European standards. Since a higher hydrogen co-firing rate means greater CO2 reductions, Hanwha continues to progress toward realizing a system that runs on 100 percent hydrogen.

In addition to its CO2 emissions reduction benefits, H2GT provides several positives for the future of the energy sector and society. Retrofitted power plants utilizing hydrogen can achieve a higher power output and improved efficiency compared to standard gas-fired systems. H2GT is also cost effective and helps stabilize the power grid during periods of high demand. Another benefit of H2GT is its ability to prevent stranded assets.

As the world moves closer to adopting a renewable energy grid, gas-fired power plants may fall into disuse. And while doing away with these power plants may seem positive for the future of the environment, it also means that half of the world’s fossil fuel assets could be worthless by 2036. A scenario of this magnitude would have major economic implications. To mitigate potentially global financial instability, future-focused solutions that make use of established systems are needed. H2GT stands in this gap. By retrofitting gas-powered infrastructure, Hanwha can give new life to aged systems, greatly extending their operational value, lessening the risk of stranded assets, and lowering emissions while meeting present and future energy needs.

This work is already being carried out through Hanwha Impact’s current large-scale H2GT projects. With its subsidiary Thomassen Energy, Hanwha is using its H2GT to retrofit a 123-megawatt-class gas turbine in Rotterdam run by German energy company Uniper into a mixed combustion system. This project will keep the site resilient throughout the green energy transition while helping to reduce environmental pollutants caused by CO2 and NOx emissions.

By effectively reducing greenhouse gases, H2GT acts as a meaningful step forward in building a completely carbon-free power generation structure. Yong Seon Song, Senior Vice President of Hanwha Power Systems, puts this key benefit in perspective, stating, “If all LNG gas turbines in South Korea alone are converted to 50 percent hydrogen mixed combustion turbines, it is possible to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 16 million tons.” That’s the equivalent of keeping over 3.4 million passenger vehicles off the roads for a year. If this is the impact of H2GT in only one country, imagine the change we could see after a sweeping effort to retrofit gas-fired turbines throughout the globe. The widespread adoption of this technology could act as a catalyst for further change as we move towards a net-zero world.