The technology group Wärtsilä and WEC Energy Group have successfully tested the capabilities of a Wärtsilä engine running on 25 vol% hydrogen-blended fuel. The tests, which were completed in October 2022, were conducted at WEC Energy Group’s 55 MW A.J. Mihm power plant in Michigan, USA using an unmodified Wärtsilä 50SG engine. Throughout the testing period, the Wärtsilä engine continued to supply power to the grid. This is the largest commercially operated flexible balancing engine ever to run on a hydrogen fuel blend.
The Electric Power Research Institute also participated in the tests and led the assessment of the engine’s performance during the testing. In a recently released report, EPRI’s analysis confirmed the feasibility of blending hydrogen with natural gas for use in an existing Wärtsilä engine. The demonstration results also showed hydrogen can be safely and reliably handled and utilised in engine technology.
During three days of continuous testing, the capability of the engine to co-fire hydrogen blends was successfully demonstrated, showing clear improvements in engine efficiency and reduced greenhouse gas emissions, while staying compliant with NOx emissions. A 95% engine load was achieved with the 25 % H2 blend. Further testing showed that with a 17 vol% H2 blend, a 100% engine load was attainable. The EPRI report states that this class of engines can therefore maintain its higher efficiency compared to simple-cycle gas turbines.
“EPRI is accelerating deployment of a full portfolio of clean energy technologies to support a net-zero future,” said EPRI VP Energy Supply and Low-Carbon Resources Neva Espinoza. “The learnings from this project will be shared with the energy industry to further progress toward deep decarbonisation targets.”
Image: A. J. Mihm power plant
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