Hanwha Impact Secures First U.S. Order for LNG Power Plant Retrofit Mixing 40% Hydrogen

Among Commercial Power Plant Facilities
Hydrogen Proportion Highest
Demonstration Case Presented, Receives High Marks

Key component of hydrogen co-firing power generation secured by Hanwha, flame sheet combustor

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] Hanwha has secured a project to retrofit equipment at a liquefied natural gas (LNG) power plant in the United States to enable the use of a mixture of hydrogen and gas. Once this work is completed, the power plant will be able to operate using fuel gas mixed with 40% hydrogen. This is the highest hydrogen ratio among commercial power plant facilities retrofitted for hydrogen and LNG co-combustion (co-firing).

Hanwha Impact announced on the 1st that it has won a contract for the hydrogen co-firing gas turbine retrofit project at the Linden Cogeneration Combined Cycle Power Plant in New Jersey, USA. This power plant supplies electricity to nearby New York City and oil refineries. Under this project, one 172 MW gas turbine will be retrofitted to allow a hydrogen mixing ratio of up to 40%, with work scheduled to be completed by next year. Although the company did not disclose the exact contract amount, considering that the cost of hydrogen co-firing retrofit is less than half of that for establishing new power generation facilities, it is estimated to be around 70 billion KRW.

Linden Cogeneration Combined Cycle Power Plant in New Jersey, USA

General Electric (GE), the American manufacturer of the gas turbines at the power plant, also participated in the bidding, but Hanwha reportedly secured the contract by guaranteeing stable co-firing ratios and commercial operation. In power plants, penalties for disruptions in power production are significant, making warranty issues critical.

The first case of retrofitting a commercially operating power plant facility to enable hydrogen co-firing was at a power plant in southern Netherlands, where the co-firing ratio was set at 25%. Although LNG emits fewer pollutants compared to coal and oil, it is still a carbon-based fuel and cannot completely eliminate emissions. Mixing hydrogen, which has zero carbon emissions, with LNG reduces exhaust emissions accordingly.

Since it is expected to take a long time to use eco-friendly hydrogen due to production costs and infrastructure development, the energy industry views hydrogen co-firing technology as an intermediate step in the transition to renewable energy. Hanwha also plans to apply technology that meets related regulations on nitrogen oxide emissions.

Song Yong-seon, Executive Director of Hydrogen Business Development at Hanwha Impact, said, "We received high evaluations for presenting demonstration cases such as retrofitting power plants operating in the Netherlands and the United States," adding, "By utilizing by-product hydrogen from nearby oil refineries, we will reduce fuel costs and solve environmental pollution issues."

☞What is hydrogen co-firing technology? A method of mixing liquefied natural gas (LNG) and hydrogen as fuel for power plant gas turbines. Existing turbines and auxiliary equipment are retrofitted. Compared to LNG power generation, pollutant emissions are reduced, and it can utilize low-purity hydrogen, making it a practical alternative during the full transition to renewable energy.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.