ETN Global is proud to announce the publication of our latest white paper, “The Critical role of dispatchable power generation for a sustainable and secure energy transition.” This document outlines four key challenges related to security of supply facing Europe’s energy system, as it transitions towards carbon-neutral future, shifting from one dominated by fossil-fuels towards one based primarily on variable renewable energy sources.  It proposes actionable solutions and calls for immediate action from the European policy makers, and industry leaders to address these:

1. Flexibility challenge:
   • The issue: As Variable Renewable Energy (VRE) sources like wind and solar grow, Europe’s grid must meet increasing flexibility demands to avoid instability and blackouts. By 2050, flexibility needs are projected to grow fivefold.
   • The solution: Double the availability of dispatchable energy resources by 2030 and quintuple them by 2050, including energy storage systems, smart grids, and dispatchable generation technologies.
2. Grid stability challenge:
   • The issue: Balancing demand and supply amid rising VRE integration requires reliable dispatchable solutions for long-duration storage and peaking capacity.
   • The solution: Incentivise dispatchable thermal turbines fueled by hydrogen or carbon-neutral fuels, integrate ultra-fast-response solutions, and create robust regulatory frameworks to ensure grid stability.
3. Carbon-neutral fuel challenge:
   • The issue: Limited availability, high costs, and insufficient infrastructure hinder the adoption of hydrogen and other carbon-neutral fuels.
   • The solution: Accelerate investments in hydrogen production, infrastructure development, and large-scale testing of hydrogen-fueled turbines to reduce costs and build market confidence.
4. Aging fleet challenge:
   • The issue: Europe faces a net decline in flexible generation capacity due to the decommissioning of a number of dispatchable power plants, risking energy adequacy.
   • The solution: Provide financial incentives and regulatory support to extend the operational lifespan of existing fleets and encourage modernisation efforts.

ETN Global’s proposed solutions and calls to action align with the European Commission’s political guidelines and strategic objectives, including the Clean Industrial Deal. They are designed to ensure secure, affordable, and competitive energy future through focussed policies and investments.

You can access the full White Paper here.

ETN Global is proud to announce that our Hydrogen Gas Turbines Report has been featured in the latest issue of Turbomachinery International Magazine.

The article titled “Transitioning to hydrogen-powered thermal power plants: opportunities and challenges”, authored by our Project Board member Peter Kutne (DLR) and ETN Global’s Giuseppe Tilocca, highlights hydrogen gas turbines as a cornerstone of the energy transition, offering dispatchable, low-carbon power to complement fluctuating renewable energy sources like wind and solar. It also explores key challenges and solutions for transitioning to hydrogen-powered thermal power plants, from combustion advancements to infrastructure development.

We are grateful for this recognition by the Turbomachinery International Magazine. If you have missed the article, you can find it online here.

If you have not downloaded your copy of ETN’s Hydrogen Gas Turbines report, you can do so here.

ETN Global is thrilled to announce the release of our last Quarterly Newsletter of the year 2024!

This issues highlights include:

• Call for Papers for IGTC 2025 – Be part of the conversation driving turbomachinery innovations toward net-zero! (Deadline: December 8, 2024).
• 2024 Hydrogen Gas Turbines report – Explore advancements in hydrogen technologies and their critical role in achieving carbonneutrality.
• Brian Pitt Excellence Award winner – Meet Simona Calenda, whose research is transforming part-load operations for combined cycle plants.
• High-Level User Meeting & October Workshop insights – Recap of dynamic sessions focusing on sustainable pathways in the energy transition and on the way towards net-zero goals.
• Spotlight on our R&D projects – Exclusive interviews with the innovators behind the ROBINSON – H2020 and ASTERIx-CAESar projects. Discover how these initiatives are advancing energy storage, sustainability, and the integration of low-carbon technologies.
  

Read the full newsletter here.

ETN Global is proud to announce the publication of 100 Measures for 100 Days, a comprehensive report by the European Net Zero Alliance (ENZA)*, of which we are a member. This initiative provides actionable solutions and recommendations to the new European Commission that took office on 1 December 2024, aiming to accelerate the EU’s transition to climate neutrality by 2050 through technology openness and cross-sector collaboration.

The report, compiled by 24 associations representing diverse sectors emphasises multi-energy approaches and highlights key areas such as energy transition, the circular economy, and competitiveness.

In relation to turbomachinery, the following are key points outlined in the document:

1. Investment required in dispatchable, flexible energy generation
   Europe must scale up flexible energy resources, including dispatchable technologies like gas turbines, to meet the increasing demand for electricity driven by renewable energy sources. As flexibility requirements are expected to increase fivefold by 2050, investment in energy storage, smart grids, and dispatchable generation is essential for ensuring a reliable power supply. Policies must therefore support the integration of these technologies into the energy mix, ensuring they remain a viable option for meeting future energy needs while contributing to Europe’s decarbonisation goals.
2. Life extension or replacement alternatives are necessary
   With the decommissioning of older gas turbines, it is important to implement measures to extend their lifespan or replace them with modern, low-carbon alternatives. This approach will reduce adequacy risks, ensure a stable electricity supply, and help meet carbon reduction targets.
3. Industrial decarbonisation and CCUS Integration
   Gas turbines are key enablers of carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) systems, especially in industrial settings. By compressing CO₂ for transport and storage, turbines support decarbonisation efforts and play an important role in reducing emissions across multiple sectors.

This pivotal document bridges ambition with implementation, providing EU policymakers with innovative tools to enhance resilience, sustainability, and economic strength during the first 100 days of the new Commission.

Please download the full document here.

*The European Net Zero Alliance (ENZA) is a coalition comprising 24 European associations spanning various economic and industrial sectors, including manufacturing, energy infrastructure, building and construction, mobility, and agriculture. This alliance aims to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 through a multi-energy approach, leveraging different energy vectors such as liquid and gaseous fuels, heat and cold, and electricity to expedite decarbonisation in a cost-efficient manner.

ETN Global President Simon Balmer, Uniper, and Managing Director Christer Björkqvist sent a letter to the main contact persons of each ETN Global member organisation reflecting on 2024 achievements and announcing the plans for 2025.

Year 2024, marked by the 20th anniversary since the formation of the organisation, saw a number of achievements, activities, meetings, events and webinars due to the dedicated and involved members. The highlights include a launch of a new Working Group – Digital Solutions and Diagnostics, publication of three reports, including a 2024 edition of the Hydrogen Gas Turbines Report, a new initiative to foster young engineering talent through launch of Brian Pitt Excellence Award, and an educational initiative to ensure sufficient skilled workforce in the future through two major events for students in conjunction with ASME Turbo Expo 2024 and ENLIT Europe 2024.

In 2025 we anticipate further growth of the organisation in markets such as US, Canada and Asia. And to continue supporting our menbers through various activities and projects, addressing challenges and barriers that hinder advancement along the identified pathways towards net-zero goals. We are dedicated to offer our full support in ensuring that the sector plays a significant role in the energy transition.

ETN Global’s success is due to all our members. We express gratitude for your 2024 support and look forward to collaborative endeavors in 2025.

You can read the full letter here (login required).

ETN Global releases 2024 High-Level User Meeting Report , offering a comprehensive analysis of the challenges and opportunities facing the gas turbine users. Based on insights from pre-meeting interviews with stakeholders across all sectors and in-depth discussions during the meeting, the report provides a detailed examination of the technical, market, and regulatory challenges faced by operators. It outlines the path forward as the industry works towards current low-emission targets and ambitious net-zero goals.

Key highlights:

• Technological advancements: Gas turbine designs are advancing rapidly and 100% hydrogen-capable turbines are expected to be running by 2030. Simultaneously, there is a growing emphasis on advancing post-combustion carbon capture and storage (CCUS) technologies, marking a significant step forward in sustainability efforts.
• Tackling infrastructure, market & policy hurdles: Addressing critical challenges is essential to drive progress. These include, among others, ensuring large-scale hydrogen availability, advancing combustion technologies, reducing extended overhaul lead times, and mitigating shortages of spare parts. Additionally, tackling infrastructure and regulatory obstacles is key to accelerating the adoption and implementation of carbon capture and storage (CCS) solutions.
• Immediate priorities: Focusing on short-term enhancements in operational optimisation and efficiency to meet the shifting demands of the energy landscape.
• ETN Global Technology Roadmap: An introduction of a strategic framework focusing on sustainability, decentralisation, energy efficiency, and low-carbon solutions.
• Collaborative action: A call for coordinated efforts to align technological advancements with market and regulatory frameworks, leveraging the strength of the ETN Global network.

This report invites industry stakeholders to harness its insights to drive decarbonisation and innovation. It also encourages the community to actively participate in ETN Global’s working groups, user groups, and initiatives to ensure gas turbines continue playing a pivotal role in a sustainable energy future.

Download the full report here. (login required)

ETN Global is excited to announce our 2025 events. These gatherings will provide an invaluable platform to showcase your organisation’s expertise, connect with key industry stakeholders, and elevate your brand’s visibility within the global energy and turbomachinery community.

2025 Event Highlights (download a full PDF here)

Our lineup for 2025 features several high-profile events designed to foster industry collaboration and innovation, including:

• Annual General Meeting & Workshop: 25-27 March 2025 | Bergen, Norway (co-hosted by Equinor)
• High-Level User Meeting: 13 October 2025 | Brussels, Belgium
• 12th International Gas Turbine Conference: 14-15 October 2025 | Brussels, Belgium
• Engine-Specific User Meetings:
  • LM2500: 3-5 June 2025
  • Frame 5-9: November 2025 (date TBC)
  • SGT-A35: 4-6 November 2025
  • US High-Level User Meeting: 18 November 2025 | Houston, USA

Each event will offer a range of sponsorship packages and exhibit spaces, allowing for flexible levels of engagement. Benefits include exclusive branding, speaking slots, exhibition space, and networking opportunities tailored to maximise your presence and influence.

Why sponsor or exhibit?

By partnering with ETN Global, your organisation will:

• Gain visibility among industry decision-makers and thought leaders.
• Enhance your brand’s reputation in the energy and turbomachinery sectors.
• Showcase your innovative solutions directly to a targeted audience.
• Build and strengthen client relationships and partnerships.

We look forward to exploring how we can collaborate in 2025 to make these events a success. For questions or more details, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Communications Manager, Viktorija Charbagi via email: vc@etn.global

Download a PDF with a full 2025 event overview:

ETN Global is thrilled to announce the publication of Hydrogen Gas Turbines Report 2024 edition, which is part of the activities undertaken by ETN Global’s Hydrogen and other alternative fuels Working Group. 

It highlights hydrogen gas turbines as key to carbon-neutral energy, offering efficient, low-emission power to complement renewable sources.

While low-carbon hydrogen infrastructure is expected by 2030, challenges like combustion instabilities, cooling technologies, and NOx emissions, among others, require further research. And although government-backed projects are already supporting some of these advancements, there is a need for additional demonstration projects and regulatory frameworks to drive adoption globally.

Collaboration between manufacturers, energy providers, and policymakers is therefore key to ensuring hydrogen turbines can provide flexible, dispatchable power when renewable sources are insufficient, making them vital to achieving global net-zero goals.

This report was directed by Peter Kutne (DLR) with the support of the ETN Global secretariat.

We would like to especially thank the main contributors: Andrea Ciani (Ansaldo Energia), Adnan Eroglu (Siemens Energy), Luc Gooren (Engie Laborelec), Felix Guethe (Phoenix BioPower), Jim Harper (EPRI), Peter Kutne (DLR), Geert Laagland (Vattenfall), Bobby Noble (EPRI), Jon Runyon (Uniper), Jens Walter (BASF), Mitch Webb (EPRI). And we would like to acknowledge the assistance of ETN Global members who contributed with valuable information in Chapter 5 of this report: Ansaldo Energia (Enrico Bianchi, Francesco Ferando, and Mauro Moretto), Baker Hughes (Paolo Bruttini and Egidio Pucci), Mitsubishi Power (Jaime de Ojeda), PSM (Jeffrey Benoit), Siemens Energy (Adnan Eroglu), and Solar Turbines (Jean-Luc di Liberti and Marc Vignal).

To download the full report, please click here.