Technology group Wärtsilä has today launched the world’s first large-scale 100% hydrogen-ready engine power plant, setting a new benchmark in the journey towards net-zero power systems.

Pioneering Hydrogen-Ready Technology

The IEA World Energy Outlook 2023 highlights hydrogen as a crucial element for future power systems. To achieve net zero emissions by 2050, the report projects the need for 17 million tonnes of hydrogen in power generation by 2030, scaling up to 51 million tonnes by 2050.

While the deployment of renewable energy sources is expected to double by the end of this decade, achieving global net zero targets will require more than just scaling up renewables. Flexible power generation solutions, such as Wärtsilä's new engine power plant, are essential to balance the variability of renewable energy sources. This innovative plant is designed to be future-proof, capable of running on sustainable fuels to fully decarbonize the energy sector.

Future-Proofing Power Systems

Wärtsilä’s hydrogen-ready engine power plant can be converted to run on 100% hydrogen, surpassing current technology that operates on natural gas and up to 25% hydrogen blends. Anders Lindberg, President of Wärtsilä Energy, emphasized the importance of this development: “We will not meet global climate goals or fully decarbonize our power systems without flexible, zero-carbon power generation that can quickly ramp up and down to support intermittent wind and solar.”

Lindberg acknowledged that natural gas will still play a role in power systems for the foreseeable future. Wärtsilä’s fuel-flexible engines can use natural gas now to provide necessary flexibility and balancing, and transition to hydrogen when it becomes widely available, ensuring a smooth path to net zero.

Technical Excellence and Certification

The new hydrogen-ready engine power plant is based on the Wärtsilä 31 engine platform, known for its efficiency, rapid synchronization with the grid, and high part-load efficiency. The platform has achieved over 1 million running hours with a global installed capacity exceeding 1,000 MW.

The 100% hydrogen-ready engine power plant concept has been certified by TÜV SÜD, achieving the first stage of the H2-Readiness certification with a Concept Certificate. This certification underscores Wärtsilä’s commitment to quality and safety in advancing sustainable energy solutions. The engine is expected to be available for orders in 2025, with deliveries starting in 2026.

Wärtsilä’s innovation marks a major milestone in the energy transition, enabling the development of 100% renewable power systems and significantly contributing to the global effort to combat climate change.

Source: wartsila.com