POWER March 2022 - 16

GAS POWER
New Realms for Gas Power
Technology
Gas power technology developers are exploring new roles and applications to
ensure gas power will remain relevant as power markets embrace decarbonization.
Sonal Patel
A
t the end of 2020, about 1,600
GW of gas turbines were installed
globally, the vast majority of which
burned natural gas or methane for electricity
generation. While high-level outlooks
generally suggest natural gas will
continue to flourish as the largest source
of power in advanced economies over
the next decade, a broader push for netzero
emissions could send the resource
into long-term decline.
To stay relevant amid the anticipated
proliferation of renewables, energy storage,
and decarbonized gas, the gas turbine
industry is readying for a spate of
emerging applications. Along with increased
hybridization with renewables
and storage, turbine makers are exploring
combusting low-carbon fuels; ramping
up turbine efficiency, performance,
and operational flexibility; and ultimately,
reducing their carbon output.
Multiple Approaches to
Power-to-X-to-Power
Meeting these attributes will require
strategic collaboration on all fronts, including
in technical areas, notes ETN
Global, a Brussels-based nonprofit trade
group representing the entire gas turbine
technology value chain. Spearheading a
notable European Union (EU)-backed
project that explores multiple approaches,
21 ETN Global members-which
span energy utilities, technology companies,
academic institutions, and other
gas turbine stakeholders from 10 countries-in
April 2020 kicked off a four-year
project called " FLEXnCONFU. "
FLEXnCONFU's ultimate goal is " to
develop and demonstrate innovative,
economically viable and replicable Power-to-X-to-Power
(P2X2P) solutions that
combine all available options for the effective
and flexible use of surplus power
from renewable energies to level the
power plant load by converting electricity
into hydrogen or ammonia prior to
converting it back to power, " explained
Alessandra Cuneo, a project manager at
RINA Consulting, who serves as FLEXn16
CONFU's
project coordinator. " This will
enable the design and operation of an
integrated power plant layout that can
unlock additional [combined cycle gas
turbine (CCGT)] flexibility, " she said.
The consortium, which has a total budget
of $14.4 million (€12.6 million), plans
to complete several milestones under
four " pillars " by FLEXnCONFU's conclusion
in March 2024: The use of nonmins'
Hydrogenics and Italy's ICI at one
of the three Siemens V94.3A CCGTs at
EDP's 1.2-GW gas-fired Ribatejo power
plant in Portugal. Separately, FLEXnCONFU
will target 1,000 operating hours for a
power-to-hydrogen demonstration at the
Ribatejo plant starting in April 2023.
In another project, project partners are
targeting a TRL 6 for a power-to-ammonia-to-power
(P2AP) solution developed
1. Mitsubishi Power's M501JAC model is a simple cycle gas turbine, ISO-rated at 425 MW
at baseload output, and 44% efficiency on natural gas fuel. A single-shaft 1x1 combined
cycle plant is rated at 630 MW net plant output at more than 64% efficiency. Courtesy:
Mitsubishi Power
conventional fuels in CCGTs for flexibility
and sustainability; the integration and
demonstration of power-to-X systems in
a real power plant; the development of
an advanced control system dedicated
to enhance CCGT flexibility and grid inby
Dutch firm Proton and ICI that will
be demonstrated at a modified micro
gas turbine operating at a University of
Genoa laboratory in Savona, Italy. The
P2G2P solution will be directly controlled
by a grid-driven/responsive management
Every major original equipment manufacturer
(OEM) seems to recognize that gas
turbine fuel flexibility could open up a competitive
edge and add market value as the
world trundles deeper into decarbonization.
teroperability; and the promotion of a
hydrogen and ammonia energy society.
One notable objective is to demonstrate-at
a technological readiness
level (TRL) 7-a power-to-gas-to-power
(P2G2P) solution developed by Cumwww.powermag.com
system
developed by automation firm
MAS Controlling Power & Energy, and
gas turbine combustion acceptability of
different natural gas, hydrogen, and ammonia
mixtures will be studied in Cardiff
University labs.
POWER | March 2022
http://www.powermag.com
POWER March 2022

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