H₂ NG CCGT

Overview

Hydrogen and Natural Gas Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (H₂ NG CCGT) technology combines the use of hydrogen (H₂) and natural gas (NG) as fuels in a combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) system. This approach leverages the existing natural gas infrastructure while progressively incorporating hydrogen to reduce carbon emissions and enhance the sustainability of power generation.

Process Description

1. Fuel Blending: Hydrogen and natural gas are blended in specific proportions and supplied to the gas turbine.
2. Combustion: The blended fuel is combusted in a gas turbine, producing high-temperature, high-pressure gases.
3. Gas Turbine Operation: The expanding gases drive the gas turbine, generating electricity.
4. Heat Recovery Steam Generator (HRSG): Exhaust gases from the gas turbine pass through a heat recovery steam generator, producing steam.
5. Steam Turbine Operation: The steam produced is used to drive a steam turbine, generating additional electricity.
6. Combined Cycle Efficiency: The integration of gas and steam turbines enhances overall efficiency by utilizing the waste heat from the gas turbine to generate more power.

Benefits

• Reduced Emissions: Blending hydrogen with natural gas reduces CO₂ emissions compared to using natural gas alone.
• High Efficiency: Combined cycle configuration provides higher efficiency compared to simple cycle gas turbines.
• Incremental Transition: Allows for a gradual transition from natural gas to hydrogen, leveraging existing infrastructure.
• Fuel Flexibility: Can operate with varying proportions of hydrogen and natural gas, providing operational flexibility.

Applications

• Utility Power Generation: Used in large-scale power plants to provide reliable and efficient electricity to the grid.
• Industrial Power: Suitable for industrial facilities requiring both electricity and process steam.
• Renewable Integration: Can complement renewable energy sources by providing flexible and dispatchable power.

Challenges

• Hydrogen Source and Emissions: The primary source of hydrogen is often grey hydrogen, which has associated CO₂ emissions. A transition to green hydrogen (produced from renewable energy) is necessary to maximize environmental benefits.
• Lower Efficiency Compared to Fuel Cells: Combustion-based systems are generally less efficient than hydrogen fuel cells, which directly convert chemical energy into electricity.
• Cost: High costs associated with hydrogen production and the adaptation of gas turbines for hydrogen use.
• Technological Adaptation: Modifications needed to handle hydrogen's unique combustion properties and material compatibility.

Future Outlook

Advancements in hydrogen production technologies, such as electrolysis using renewable energy, and improvements in gas turbine designs are expected to enhance the feasibility of H₂ NG CCGT systems. This technology offers a transitional pathway toward a more sustainable and low-carbon energy future by gradually increasing the use of hydrogen in power generation. H₂ NG CCGT systems hold significant potential for reducing emissions while maintaining reliability and efficiency in the power generation sector.

ES Model Parameters

All the parameters concerning the Combine Cycle Gas Turbine H2 & NG are listed in the table below.

entry_key	value	unit	sets	source_reference
CO2_A (layer)	0.32	kg_CO2	CAN	Slaymaker, Amara, (2021): "Demographic and Geographic Region Definition in Energy System Modelling. A Case Study of Canada's Path to Net Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 2050 and the Role of Hydrogen"
ELECTRICITY_HV (layer)	1	kWh	CAN	Slaymaker, Amara, (2021): "Demographic and Geographic Region Definition in Energy System Modelling. A Case Study of Canada's Path to Net Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 2050 and the Role of Hydrogen"
H2_MP (layer)	-0.362	kWh	CAN	Slaymaker, Amara, (2021): "Demographic and Geographic Region Definition in Energy System Modelling. A Case Study of Canada's Path to Net Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 2050 and the Role of Hydrogen"
NG_MP (layer)	-1.2	kWh	CAN	Slaymaker, Amara, (2021): "Demographic and Geographic Region Definition in Energy System Modelling. A Case Study of Canada's Path to Net Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 2050 and the Role of Hydrogen"
c_inv	887.72	CAD/kW	CAN	Slaymaker, Amara, (2021): "Demographic and Geographic Region Definition in Energy System Modelling. A Case Study of Canada's Path to Net Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 2050 and the Role of Hydrogen"
c_maint	55.41	CAD/kW/y	CAN	Slaymaker, Amara, (2021): "Demographic and Geographic Region Definition in Energy System Modelling. A Case Study of Canada's Path to Net Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 2050 and the Role of Hydrogen"
c_p	0.85	-	CAN	Slaymaker, Amara, (2021): "Demographic and Geographic Region Definition in Energy System Modelling. A Case Study of Canada's Path to Net Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 2050 and the Role of Hydrogen"
lifetime	25	y	CAN	Slaymaker, Amara, (2021): "Demographic and Geographic Region Definition in Energy System Modelling. A Case Study of Canada's Path to Net Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 2050 and the Role of Hydrogen"

References

Data Sources
Slaymaker, Amara. (2021). "Demographic and Geographic Region Definition in Energy System Modelling. A Case Study of Canada's Path to Net Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 2050 and the Role of Hydrogen"