Session: 08-08. Hydrogen Fuel: Considerations and Demos

Paper Number: 121044

121044 - Hydrogen Co-Firing Demonstration at Constellation Hillabee Siemens Energy SGT6-6000g Power Plant 

Gas Turbines will need to reduce CO₂ emissions and prove their flexibility based on market needs and new proposed rules. Economically, utilizing existing gas turbine assets to meet these requirements will be of great benefit as compared to building new turbines.  Even better, determining the lowest cost least intrusive upgrades required is of great interest to power producers.  The demonstration described here was conducted on one (1) GT unit at the Constellation Hillabee power plant (Siemens Energy SGT6-6000G 2x1 configuration) which doubled the mass flow of hydrogen of previous record-breaking DLN demonstrations.  The testing was done on an unaltered, existing GT asset, which provides great value for those GTs which are already providing power using natural gas.  This demonstrated hydrogen blending percentages already capable of meeting the first goals set forth in recent proposed EPA gas turbine rules, thus showing that existing GTs can operationally meet those requirements – given sufficient supply of hydrogen is available. Such demonstrations are of critical importance as they show the inherent capability to meet reduced carbon power generation requirements without more significant cost outlays.  This report documents the evaluation, preparation execution and results from this demonstration testing. The results are provided for the gas turbine community to use as insight into the capability and flexibility of existing assets to meet the future demands of reduced carbon power generation.  Specific information around safety, reliability, and operability that were reviewed are discussed to provide context around existing asset capability.  In addition, details around the project and testing execution are also included which provides insight into the updated operations that are required while operating on high hydrogen blends.  Lastly, results from the testing are shown to confirm the potential of hydrogen co-firing to reduce the carbon footprint with otherwise only marginal impact on the operation, emissions, and performance of combined cycle power plants.

Presenting Author: James Harper EPRI

Presenting Author Biography: Jim Harper is a Principal Technical Lead at EPRI.

Jim Harper has over 20 years’ experience as a thermal systems engineer in a range of industries. Jim is a Principle Technical Lead in the Gas Turbine Technology Division at EPRI. EPRI is the Electric Power Research Institute headquartered in the US but with a presence across the world. EPRI’s mission is advancing safe, reliable, affordable, and clean energy for society through global collaboration, science and technology innovation, and applied research.

Jim has worked with EPRI members on projects around gas turbine operation and energy transition including hydrogen fueling. Jim has supported and led aspects of hydrogen fueling demonstrations as well as hydrogen generation, storage and blending with natural gas studies.

Jim has extensive gas turbine design, control, testing and fleet experience. He was a Combustion Technical Leader at General Electric where he was a system owner of Gas Turbine combustion system mechanical, thermal and control architectures. In addition, Jim worked in the electric vehicle automotive industry where he was a senior thermal systems design lead responsible for all thermal systems design, validation and fleet support including battery, motor, power electronics and cabin thermal systems. He has authored over 10 patents in Gas Turbine Design and control as well as EV thermal system control architectures.

Authors:

James Harper EPRI
Duane Gibeaut Constellation
Mark Lozier Constellation
Richard Sake Constellation
Thorsten Wolf Siemens Energy Inc.
David Noble EPRI