popular articles

The Hydrogen Revolution: A Historic Gas Turbine

A new world of possibilities is opening up with the Hydrogen Revolution: the very first 100% hydrogen-powered gas turbine is a breakthrough that promises to transform the energy industry.
Turbine à gaz

Please share:

The Hydrogen Revolution is a promising technological advance. On October 11, 2023, a European consortium comprising Engie, Siemens Energy, Centrax, and a group of universities announced the success of the world’s first-ever test of a gas turbine powered 100% by hydrogen. This breakthrough opens up considerable opportunities for the rapid decarbonization of energy-hungry industrial sites such as cement plants.

A world first

“We’ve just achieved the world first of injecting 100% hydrogen into a gas turbine to produce electricity,” enthused Frank Lacroix, Deputy CEO of Engie, at a press conference. This major project took place on the site of a paper mill near Limoges, highlighting the potential of hydrogen as a flexible means of electricity storage, similar to batteries.

According to the promoters of this innovation, hydrogen could play a key role in decarbonizing industrial sites with high CO2 emissions. Mr. Lacroix explains: “We are now capable of recovering excess electricity from renewable energies [sous forme d’hydrogène], storing it on site and converting it into electricity for industrial use.

Technical challenges

An electrolyzer on the Smurfit Kappa site produces the hydrogen used. It should be noted that this site is a manufacturer of paper packaging in Saillat-sur-Vienne. The experiment was carried out with a Siemens Energy SGT-400 gas turbine, whose combustion system was adapted for hydrogen. This adaptation required adjustments to control combustion, given the particular characteristics of hydrogen.

Eventually, this technology can be used to convert existing turbine fleets with simple modifications. The first sectors to be targeted are cement plants, the steel industry and refineries, where decarbonization is a complex challenge. The future could also see the use of this technology in heat production, as well as in heavy mobility, particularly in aviation and shipping.

An Innovative European Consortium

The consortium behind this breakthrough also includes European consultant Arttic, the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and four European universities. This project has received substantial funding from the European Union, underlining the importance of innovation in achieving global decarbonization targets.

This revolutionary advance represents a major step towards a cleaner future less dependent on fossil fuels. Hydrogen-powered gas turbines open up new possibilities for reducing CO2 emissions in industry, paving the way for a more sustainable, environmentally-friendly future.

 

Register free of charge for uninterrupted access.

Publicite

Recently published in

The European Commission has published its opinion on ENNOH’s founding documents, paving the way for the organisation of hydrogen network operators across Europe.
A project led by the government of Newfoundland and Labrador will assess the construction and operational needs of a hydrogen supply chain in Eastern Canada.
A project led by the government of Newfoundland and Labrador will assess the construction and operational needs of a hydrogen supply chain in Eastern Canada.
Italian dairy group Granarolo will use a blend containing up to 20% green hydrogen from September, in a first-of-its-kind industrial-scale operation led by Italgas and Edison Energia.
Italian dairy group Granarolo will use a blend containing up to 20% green hydrogen from September, in a first-of-its-kind industrial-scale operation led by Italgas and Edison Energia.
The French hydrogen company closed its tender process without receiving any in bonis offers, paving the way for a partial asset sale and liquidation proceedings.
The French hydrogen company closed its tender process without receiving any in bonis offers, paving the way for a partial asset sale and liquidation proceedings.
The postponement of nuclear-produced hydrogen’s classification as a “low-carbon” fuel until 2028 is raising concerns among industry players, especially those backing this energy source.
Hystar has signed a new agreement with Sunbo Unitech to supply PEM electrolyser stacks for a green hydrogen project in Boryeong, South Korea, marking its second contract in this strategic market.
Hystar has signed a new agreement with Sunbo Unitech to supply PEM electrolyser stacks for a green hydrogen project in Boryeong, South Korea, marking its second contract in this strategic market.
Elcogen and Casale begin collaboration on Power-to-X projects combining solid oxide electrolysis and chemical processes in green ammonia production.
Elcogen and Casale begin collaboration on Power-to-X projects combining solid oxide electrolysis and chemical processes in green ammonia production.
Statkraft halts the development of new green hydrogen projects due to increased market uncertainty, while continuing to structure certain existing assets to attract investors.
Statkraft halts the development of new green hydrogen projects due to increased market uncertainty, while continuing to structure certain existing assets to attract investors.
ITM Power has been selected to supply six POSEIDON electrolysis modules for Uniper’s 120MW Humber H2ub® (Green) project, scheduled to be operational by 2029.
PureWave Hydrogen is accelerating exploration activities near the Sue Duroche 3 well, where HyTerra confirmed a 96.1% concentration of natural hydrogen, reinforcing the geological potential of the Nemaha Ridge area.
PureWave Hydrogen is accelerating exploration activities near the Sue Duroche 3 well, where HyTerra confirmed a 96.1% concentration of natural hydrogen, reinforcing the geological potential of the Nemaha Ridge area.
Enagás begins consultations for its future hydrogen transport network in Castile-La Mancha, covering 13 regions and 550 municipalities on a 2,600 km infrastructure, backed by European funding.
Enagás begins consultations for its future hydrogen transport network in Castile-La Mancha, covering 13 regions and 550 municipalities on a 2,600 km infrastructure, backed by European funding.
Norwegian group Nel ASA will supply PEM electrolysers to Collins Aerospace under a contract supporting oxygen systems onboard US Navy submarines.
Norwegian group Nel ASA will supply PEM electrolysers to Collins Aerospace under a contract supporting oxygen systems onboard US Navy submarines.
Nel ASA announced that Statkraft has cancelled a 40 MW order for alkaline electrolysers, resulting in a NOK120mn ($11mn) reduction in the Norwegian manufacturer’s order backlog.
Plug Power has signed an agreement for a $525mn secured financing with Yorkville Advisors, while announcing strong preliminary results for the first quarter of 2025.
Plug Power has signed an agreement for a $525mn secured financing with Yorkville Advisors, while announcing strong preliminary results for the first quarter of 2025.
H2APEX announces €35mn financing from its main shareholders and plans a €30mn capital increase in June to accelerate the development of its hydrogen production capacities in Germany.
H2APEX announces €35mn financing from its main shareholders and plans a €30mn capital increase in June to accelerate the development of its hydrogen production capacities in Germany.
Tyczka Hydrogen received the first certification under the EU's RFNBO scheme on 15 April, marking a strategic milestone for renewable hydrogen logistics across Europe.
Tyczka Hydrogen received the first certification under the EU's RFNBO scheme on 15 April, marking a strategic milestone for renewable hydrogen logistics across Europe.
French group Lhyfe confirmed on April 17 a €149 mn public subsidy for its Green Horizon project, targeting daily output of 34 tonnes of green hydrogen near the industrial port of Le Havre by 2029.
Gen-Hy secures €99.84 mn in public funding to build an electrolyser plant in Allenjoie, with 250 jobs projected and operations set to begin in 2026.
Gen-Hy secures €99.84 mn in public funding to build an electrolyser plant in Allenjoie, with 250 jobs projected and operations set to begin in 2026.
Mantle8 has reported exceptional soil gas readings at Comminges, in the Pyrenees, confirming the effectiveness of its proprietary predictive exploration technology for natural hydrogen.
Mantle8 has reported exceptional soil gas readings at Comminges, in the Pyrenees, confirming the effectiveness of its proprietary predictive exploration technology for natural hydrogen.
The Hidrogenii joint venture, formed by Olin and Plug Power, has launched a 15 TPD hydrogen liquefaction plant in St. Gabriel, Louisiana, strengthening the regional hydrogen supply and the U.S. energy transition.
The Hidrogenii joint venture, formed by Olin and Plug Power, has launched a 15 TPD hydrogen liquefaction plant in St. Gabriel, Louisiana, strengthening the regional hydrogen supply and the U.S. energy transition.
CB&I, Shell and their partners have completed the design of a large-capacity liquid hydrogen tank at NASA’s space centre, aiming to cut commercial-scale storage costs for global trade.
Authorities in Newfoundland have released the guidelines for EVREC’s green hydrogen project impact study, marking a key regulatory step in the industrial development of this energy hub.
Authorities in Newfoundland have released the guidelines for EVREC’s green hydrogen project impact study, marking a key regulatory step in the industrial development of this energy hub.
Hyundai Motor Group, in partnership with Pertamina and Indonesian authorities, announces the construction of a waste-based hydrogen production site in West Java, set to be operational by 2027.
Hyundai Motor Group, in partnership with Pertamina and Indonesian authorities, announces the construction of a waste-based hydrogen production site in West Java, set to be operational by 2027.
Indian group Cyient will lead the engineering work at the Bodø hydrogen site in Norway, under a partnership with GreenH and Luxcara to supply maritime transport.
Indian group Cyient will lead the engineering work at the Bodø hydrogen site in Norway, under a partnership with GreenH and Luxcara to supply maritime transport.

Advertising