World first as Siemens Energy burns 100% hydrogen in industrial gas turbine

The Hyflexpower project, situated in western France, serves as a compelling testament to the feasibility of integrating turbines into power-to-hydrogen-to-power energy storage systems. Siemens Energy recently accomplished a historic milestone by successfully utilizing 100% hydrogen in an industrial gas turbine in this western French region. This breakthrough paves the way for the realization of large-scale hydrogen-based energy storage projects. While various industry leaders like GE, Mitsubishi, and Kawasaki have expressed their ambitions to adapt their industrial gas turbines for 100% hydrogen operation, Siemens Energy's SGT-400 model stands as the first to achieve this objective.

Siemens Energy's remarkable achievement was realized at the 1MW Hyflexpower demonstration project, situated within a paper plant in Saillat-sur-Vienne. This project was developed through a collaboration involving Engie, the German Aerospace Centre, and four European universities. The fundamental premise of this project involves utilizing a 1MW electrolyser, powered by renewable energy sources, to produce green hydrogen, which is subsequently stored in a sizable tank. Later, this stored hydrogen is burned in the gas turbine to generate electricity.

This pioneering endeavor marks a significant turning point, affirming hydrogen's adaptability as a versatile energy storage medium. It also underscores the potential to convert existing gas-fired power turbines into systems powered by renewable hydrogen. Siemens Energy emphasized the profound implications of this project, stating that it serves as a catalyst for expediting the decarbonization of the most energy-intensive industries.

Karim Amin, an executive board member of Siemens Energy, underscored the significance of the knowledge and experience gleaned from the Hyflexpower project, especially in relation to the deployment of the first gas turbine operating on 100% hydrogen. This breakthrough will inform the ongoing development of Siemens Energy's gas turbine fleet, positioning it for a hydrogen-centric future. The integration of electrolysis, storage, and hydrogen conversion at a single site has been impressively demonstrated, and now the focus shifts towards scaling these results.

Green hydrogen's role in ensuring continuous power generation during periods of limited wind and solar energy production is widely acknowledged. This could involve harnessing excess solar power during the summer for later use during the "dark doldrums" of winter. Despite turbines having a relative inefficiency in converting potential energy into actual energy, they offer scalability that is challenging and cost-prohibitive for electricity-generating hydrogen fuel cells to achieve.

There are valid concerns regarding the potential for nitrous oxide (NOx) emissions when burning pure hydrogen in nitrogen-rich air, which poses health risks and contributes to indirect greenhouse gas emissions. However, technological solutions akin to catalytic converters in automobiles can alleviate this issue. Siemens Energy is keen to emphasize that its SGT-400 industrial gas turbine, capable of producing 10-15MW of power, can be fueled with 100% hydrogen, 100% natural gas, or any blend of the two, offering remarkable versatility in energy sourcing. This achievement is a significant stride toward a more sustainable and hydrogen-centered energy landscape.