Milestone Achievement: Largest Hydrogen Blend Test on Gas Turbine Sets New Standard for Low-Carbon Power Generation
Key Ideas
- Successful completion of a groundbreaking demonstration at Georgia Power’s Plant McDonough-Atkinson in Smyrna, GA, showcasing 50% hydrogen co-firing on a natural gas turbine, leading to a 22% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.
- Upgrade of the Mitsubishi Power M501GAC gas turbine in 2023 to enhance hydrogen fuel compatibility, improve operational efficiency, enable wider operational ranges, and reduce maintenance requirements.
- Rigorous testing conducted throughout May and June validated the turbine’s stable operations, performance at various loads, combustion stability, efficiency, and emissions profile, affirming the technical feasibility and environmental benefits of high hydrogen blends.
- Plant McDonough-Atkinson, a significant part of Georgia's power infrastructure, supports 1.7 million homes with its combined-cycle configuration incorporating advanced gas turbines and steam turbines.
Southern Company’s subsidiary, Georgia Power, in collaboration with Mitsubishi Power, has achieved a groundbreaking milestone by successfully completing the world's largest hydrogen blend test on a natural gas turbine at Plant McDonough-Atkinson in Smyrna, GA. The project validated the capability of the turbine to co-fire with 50% hydrogen, resulting in a remarkable 22% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions compared to using only natural gas. The integration of hydrogen on the Mitsubishi Power M501GAC gas turbine showcased stable operations and performance at partial and full loads, emphasizing reliability, flexibility, and emissions reduction. In 2023, significant enhancements to the turbine were made to improve hydrogen fuel compatibility, operational efficiency, startup speed, operational range, and maintenance needs. Rigorous testing conducted over several months confirmed the turbine's efficiency, stability, and emissions benefits with high hydrogen blends. The success of this demonstration paves the way for future advancements in low-carbon power generation and energy infrastructure evolution. Plant McDonough-Atkinson, located near Atlanta, plays a crucial role in Georgia's power supply, supporting a large number of households with its advanced gas and steam turbine technologies.
Topics
Utilities
Energy Infrastructure
Carbon Reduction
Power Generation
Emission Reduction
Utility-scale
Technical Innovation
Infrastructure Enhancement
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