A European consortium, led by Siemens Energy, has achieved a significant breakthrough in hydrogen power. The consortium successfully tested a gas turbine that has the ability to run on pure hydrogen, natural gas, or any combination of the two. The project, known as HYFLEXPOWER, is funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 program and aims to showcase the viability and flexibility of renewable hydrogen as a clean and reliable source of energy for electricity and heat generation.
The HYFLEXPOWER project is based at the Saillat-sur-Vienne paper packaging plant in France. This plant is owned by Smurfit Kappa, a prominent manufacturer of corrugated packaging, containerboard, and ‘bag in box’ packages in Europe. The plant currently houses a modified Siemens Energy SGT-400 industrial gas turbine, specially designed to operate with hydrogen concentrations of up to 100%.
The successful testing of the gas turbine at the Saillat-sur-Vienne plant marks a significant milestone in the advancement of hydrogen power. With the ability to run on pure hydrogen or natural gas, this turbine offers improved flexibility and adaptability to different energy sources. It showcases the potential of renewable hydrogen as a viable and sustainable option for electricity and heat generation, reducing the dependence on fossil fuels and contributing to the transition towards cleaner energy solutions.
Hydrogen power is a promising avenue for achieving decarbonization goals and combating climate change. The use of hydrogen as a fuel produces only water vapor as a byproduct, making it a clean and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional energy sources. The HYFLEXPOWER project demonstrates the viability and practicality of incorporating hydrogen into existing infrastructure, such as gas turbines, thereby paving the way for a greener and more sustainable energy future.
Sources:
– Siemens Energy
– Smurfit Kappa
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