In its efforts to decarbonize power generation in India, NTPC Ltd., the country’s largest power generating utility, and GE Gas Power signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
Today for the feasibility of demonstrating hydrogen (H2) co-firing blended with natural gas in GE’s 9E gas turbines installed at NTPC’s Kawas combined-cycle gas power plant in Gujarat.
The two businesses will jointly explore approaches to minimise CO2 emissions from the Kawas gas power station, as well as subsequent implementation at scale throughout NTPC’s installed units in India, as part of this substantial collaboration.
- In a first-of-its-kind MoU with NTPC in India, GE Gas Power and NTPC will collaborate for the feasibility to reduce carbon intensity at NTPC’s Kawas gas power plant in Gujarat.
- The 645 megawatt (MW) gas power plant is powered by four GE 9E gas turbines.
- NTPC and GE to explore hydrogen co-firing blended with natural gas in GE’s 9E gas turbine installed at the power plant
The Kawas gas power station, which has an installed capacity of 645 megawatts, is powered by four GE 9E gas turbines working in combined-cycle mode (MW).
Furthermore, when mixed with natural gas, GE’s innovative E-Class gas turbine range can already burn up to 100% by volume of hydrogen. The sort of combustion system employed determines this capability.
Gas turbine accessories must be reviewed and perhaps adjusted for fuels containing more than 5% hydrogen by volume in order to reliably feed the fuel to the combustors.
GE Gas Power will study the necessary adjustments to the gas turbine unit and auxiliaries required for blending H2 with natural gas in this first-of-its-kind MoU with NTPC in India.
Based on the feasibility report, a pilot project for 5% hydrogen co-firing may be undertaken at the Kawas gas power plant in a safe environment. NTPC will supply the H2 required for the project.
“NTPC has been at the forefront of piloting new hydrogen-related activities, with a huge network of power generation plants delivering more than 70 GW across India.” NTPC is committed to playing a critical role in India’s energy transformation path as the country strives to meet net-zero and climate goals. Simultaneously, it is critical to invest in and properly use established technology that can create affordable, accessible, and dependable electricity. This MoU is one of the actions we are taking to accomplish the objectives of the National Hydrogen Mission. As our partnership with GE deepens, we are more focused on utilising modern technologies and leveraging our gas power assets with a bigger percentage of zero-carbon fuels such as H2, as the fuel’s supply becomes viable.”
NTPC Ltd. Director (Projects) Shri Ujjwal Kanti Bhattacharya remarked
“At various stages of growth and industrial competitiveness, emerging technologies boost India’s power landscape.” Hydrogen has a considerable potential to play a complementary role in generating electricity at scale, alongside other low-to-zero carbon fuels. We appreciate NTPC’s leadership, commitment, and investment in hydrogen as it continues to set new industry benchmarks in the discovery of low-cost hydrogen industry and achieving energy self-sufficiency.”
GE Gas Power South Asia CEO, Shri Deepesh Nanda
