NTPC, GE to explore hydrogen co-firing in gas turbines in India
Indian state-run power generator NTPC and GE Gas Power have signed a memorandum of understanding to work on hydrogen co-firing blended with natural gas, the companies said on October 6 in a joint statement.
The project will be carried out in GE’s 9E gas turbines installed at NTPC’s Kawas combined-cycle gas power plant in the western Indian state of Gujarat.
“Under this significant collaboration, the two companies will jointly explore the pathways to reduce CO2 emissions from Kawas gas power plant and further implementation at scale across NTPC’s installed units in India,” the companies said.
NTPC’s Kawas gas power plant is powered by four GE 9E gas turbines operating in a combined-cycle mode and has an installed capacity of 645 MW. GE’s E- Class gas turbine portfolio currently has the capability to burn up to 100% by volume of hydrogen when blended with natural gas. This capability varies depending on the type of combustion system used. For fuels with over 5% hydrogen by volume, gas turbine accessories need to be evaluated and possibly modified to reliably deliver the fuel to the combustors.
GE Gas Power will evaluate the possible modifications in the gas turbine unit and auxiliaries required for blending hydrogen with natural gas. Thereafter, a pilot project for 5% co-firing of hydrogen may be implemented at the Kawas gas power plant in a safe environment based on the feasibility report. NTPC shall provide the hydrogen required for the project.