Hydrogen turbines: what they are, what they are used for and why they are key for the environment

Hydrogen turbines

Hydrogen turbines are emerging as a promising technology capable of transforming the global energy landscape. This type of turbine, which uses hydrogen as fuel to generate electrical energy, represents an innovative solution to the challenges of climate change and the growing demand for clean and renewable energy sources.

Unlike fossil fuels, hydrogen offers clean combustion , releasing only water as a byproduct, making it a key player in the transition to a low-carbon economy.

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What is a hydrogen turbine?

A hydrogen turbine is a device that converts the chemical energy of hydrogen into mechanical energy and then into electrical energy through a generator. It works on the principle of hydrogen combustion with oxygen to produce water vapor at high pressure and temperature, which then drives the turbine blades, thus generating electricity. This process is characterized by its ability to generate energy with minimal emissions, with water vapor being the only direct byproduct, representing a clean and sustainable energy option compared to fossil fuel-based energy sources.

The idea of ​​using hydrogen as an energy source is not new, but its application in turbines for electricity generation has gained momentum in recent decades , driven by the urgent need to find sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels. The evolution of hydrogen turbines can be traced from early experiments and theories on hydrogen combustion to the development of advanced technologies that enable its efficient and large-scale use.

In the early stages

 the focus was more on basic research and understanding the properties of hydrogen, including its potential high energy efficiency and the challenges associated with its handling and combustion. As gas turbine technology evolved, so did the interest in adapting these machines to use hydrogen as a fuel. Technical challenges, such as hydrogen’s high burning rate, its wide flammability range, and the high temperatures reached during combustion, required innovations in turbine design and control systems.

Significant advances began to materialise in the 21st century

 when the push to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve energy sustainability became a global imperative. Research and development intensified, focusing on improving the efficiency of hydrogen turbines, managing NOx (nitrogen oxides) emissions and adapting existing infrastructure for hydrogen use. Pilot projects and commercial demonstrations began to show the viability of this technology, not only in terms of environmental performance but also in terms of its integration into the electricity grid and its ability to provide a reliable and flexible source of energy .

Today

 hydrogen turbines are at the forefront of the energy transition, benefiting from innovations in green hydrogen production (hydrogen produced from renewable sources) and advances in storage and distribution technologies. As the technology continues to mature and economies of scale begin to reduce costs, hydrogen turbines are expected to play an increasingly crucial role in the global effort to achieve a sustainable, low-carbon energy future.

How a hydrogen turbine works

Its operation, while sharing basic principles with traditional natural gas turbines, is distinguished by unique characteristics associated with the use of hydrogen as a fuel . Below, we explore the operating principles, key components, and fundamental differences with natural gas turbines.

 

As I said before, a hydrogen turbine operates on the principle of converting the chemical energy of hydrogen into mechanical energy and then into electrical energy. This process begins with the mixture of hydrogen and oxygen (usually from the air), which is introduced into the combustion chamber of the turbine. When ignited, this combustible mixture releases a large amount of energy in the form of heat, rapidly expanding the gases which then flow through the turbine blades at high speed, driving it to rotate. This rotary motion is transferred to a generator, which converts the mechanical energy into electricity.

In this tweet from the FLEX4H2 project we have an animation that helps to understand it:

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How a hydrogen turbine works

These are the key components of a hydrogen turbine

Combustion chamber: This is where hydrogen is mixed with oxygen and burned to generate high temperature and pressure gases.

Turbine blades: Designed to capture the energy of the expanding hot gases, driving the turbine to spin.

Generator: Coupled to the turbine, it converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.

Control system: Regulates the fuel and air mixture, turbine speed, and electricity generation to optimize operational efficiency and safety.

Auxiliary systems: These include cooling, lubrication and filtration systems, essential for the maintenance and operational efficiency of the turbine.

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The FLEX4H2 project

The image in this article is from the FLEX4H2 project 

 a project that represents an innovative and strategic initiative designed to advance hydrogen turbine technology, underlining the commitment of the European Union and Switzerland to the energy transition towards cleaner and more sustainable sources. This project seeks to develop and demonstrate the viability of a gas turbine that can operate efficiently with 100% hydrogen, marking a milestone on the path towards the decarbonization of large-scale power generation.

The main objective of the FLEX4H2 project is to demonstrate that gas turbines can operate flexibly with a hydrogen blend of up to 100%, thus providing a viable and sustainable energy solution that can be integrated into existing infrastructure. This project seeks to overcome the technical challenges associated with hydrogen combustion, including managing high temperatures and combustion rates, as well as minimising harmful emissions such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) as mentioned above.

To achieve its ambitious objectives, the FLEX4H2 project involves a number of key stages, including:

Technological development: Improving gas turbine components, such as the combustion chamber, to accommodate the unique properties of hydrogen and ensure efficient and safe operation.

Testing and validation: Conducting extensive testing with different hydrogen blends to assess turbine performance, efficiency and emissions, adjusting systems to optimize operation.

Full-scale demonstration: Implementation of the technology in a real operational environment to demonstrate its feasibility, flexibility and environmental benefits, marking a crucial step towards commercialization.

Within this project we have the GT36 turbine

 an innovation from Ansaldo Energia of Italy that has been put into operation in Germany running exclusively on 100% hydrogen. This turbine belongs to the H class, distinguished by its sophistication and ability to achieve operating efficiency and extraordinarily high temperatures.

Capable of generating more than 560 MW of power

 the GT36 has the capacity to supply energy to around 500,000 homes. This is achieved thanks to the design of its combustion chamber, which integrates two complementary systems to reach high operating temperatures, while keeping emissions to a minimum without the need to use diluents.

This turbine has also proven capable of seamlessly transitioning from natural gas to green hydrogen

demonstrating operational versatility crucial to the energy transition and representing a significant step forward in Europe’s efforts to combat climate change.

Until now

the turbines installed by Ansaldo could operate with a mixture containing up to 40% hydrogen. With funding of 8.7 million euros, the FLEX4H2 project aims, in the next three years, to complete the development of a technology that completely dispenses with hydrocarbons and operates solely with hydrogen .