A recent article in Turbomachinery International (Nov/Dec 2024) featured ETN Global’s Hydrogen Gas Turbines Report, 2024 edition, emphasising the critical role of hydrogen in decarbonising power generation.

The report outlines how gas turbines can transition from baseload operation to flexible, dispatchable power providers in a renewable-dominated grid. By expanding their fuel capabilities to include low-carbon hydrogen, gas turbines can support energy security and climate goals.

The article identifies four key conditions for deploying hydrogen-powered thermal plants:

• Hydrogen production: Scaling up green hydrogen (from electrolysis) and blue hydrogen (from methane reforming with carbon capture) is essential.
• Infrastructure: Projects like the European Hydrogen Backbone aim to develop a 31,500 km hydrogen pipeline network by 2030.
• Storage solutions: Large-scale hydrogen storage, such as underground salt caverns, will be crucial for flexible power generation.
• Market development: Regulatory frameworks, business models, and financial incentives (e.g., H2Global Foundation’s auction-based system) are needed to accelerate hydrogen adoption.

It also discusses challenges like combustion issues and retrofitting existing turbines for hydrogen use. While turbines can already run on hydrogen blends, full 100% hydrogen capability is expected by 2030. The report stresses that hydrogen-ready power plants will help ensure reliable, flexible energy as renewables grow.

Read the full article here.