Hydrogen-fired gas turbine for SA

Baker Hughes (BHGE) and Australian hydrogen infrastructure developer H2U have announced a collaboration to apply BHGE’s NovaLT gas turbine generators capable of operating on 100% hydrogen for Port Lincoln Project, a green hydrogen power plant facility.

H2U also announced BHGE is selected as the preferred supplier for hydrogen-based power generation at its Green H2/NH3 supply-chain demonstrator in Port Lincoln, South Australia, which will integrate the NovaLT16 unit configured for 100% hydrogen-fired operation.

“One of the reasons for selecting the NovaLT range is BHGE’s proven capability in gas turbines and understanding of the hydrogen fuel issues along with the robustness and operational flexibility of the NovaLT product platform,” said Dr Attilio Pigneri, CEO of H2U. “The NovaLT platform’s best-in-class efficiency and operating performance make it ideally suited to the intended operating profile for our Port Lincoln project.

“The annular combustor design and dual-shaft configuration will enable the unit to deliver a best-in-class black-start capability while still operating on 100% hydrogen. This means we can use the units to support critical loads within the Port Lincoln facility, while also contributing generation to the grid during periods of low wind or solar output.

“The hydrogen is also produced by the electrolysis plant on site, so we have a truly self-contained solution to firming renewable energy supply within the South Australia grid,” he said.

BHGE and H2U will collaborate on the development of the NovaLT range for its integration in the first green hydrogen power plant of Port Lincoln.

“The collaboration with H2U is aimed at ensuring the NOx emissions of a 100% hydrogen-fired turbine can be managed within applicable limits,” said Luca Maria Rossi, Chief Technology Officer of Turbomachinery Process & Solutions at BHGE. “Building on our previous experience with hydrogen fuelled generation in the Fusina project, we can deliver the same world-leading capabilities and the design features of the NovaLT platform while operating on 100% hydrogen.

“The cost of hydrogen generated from electrolysis using cheap renewable energy from wind and solar is now comparable with the cost of natural gas in South Australia,” noted Pigneri. “The South Australian renewable hydrogen and ammonia supply chain demonstrator at Port Lincoln is leading the Australian charge to a 100% renewable hydrogen economy with strong export potential.”