Assessment of Current Capabilities and Near-Term Availability of Hydrogen-Fired Gas Turbines Considering a Low-Carbon Future

A confluence of technology development, policy support, and industry investment trends is accelerating the pace of hydrogen technology demonstration, increasing the likelihood of power sector impacts. In preparation for a large-scale power sector shift toward decarbonization, several major power equipment manufacturers are developing gas turbines that can operate on a high-hydrogen-volume fuel. Many have hydrogen capable systems now that range is 5 to 100% hydrogen. GE is the current industry leader with 70 units operating on hydrogen blended fuels (including 25 with 50%+). Units with 100% hydrogen capabilities are either using a diffusion burner or some version of a wet low emissions (WLE) burners. Most dry low emission (DLE/DLN) technologies are currently limited to 60% hydrogen. Hydrogen is produced primarily using natural gas (76%) with steam methane reformation or coal (23%) with partial oxidation or gasification. A small amount of hydrogen is produced through electrolysis (2%). However, this production method could grow as a zero-carbon production method using excess electricity generated from intermittent renewable energy resources such as wind and solar. Hydrogen is currently used primarily by the oil refining and fertilizer production industries. For these reasons, research is under way to analyze the implications of hydrogen-fueled gas turbines to power sector infrastructures. This paper will assess and analyze the status, deployment history and lessons learned of current high hydrogen content fired gas turbines, with emphasis on identifying future research needs.