Wärtsilä Unveils Groundbreaking Hydrogen-Ready Engine Power Plant Concept
Key Ideas
- Wärtsilä introduces a large-scale 100% hydrogen-ready engine power plant, a pioneering concept in the industry.
- The power plant can be converted to run on 100% hydrogen, offering fuel flexibility and high part load efficiency.
- Certified by TÜV SÜD, the plant is based on the Wärtsilä 31 engine platform, known for its grid synchronisation speed and load following capabilities.
- Wärtsilä aims to make the 100% hydrogen-ready engine available for orders in 2025 and for delivery from 2026, contributing to the journey towards net zero emissions.
Wärtsilä, a technology group, has unveiled a groundbreaking concept of a large-scale 100% hydrogen-ready engine power plant, claiming it as a world first in the industry. This innovative power plant can be converted to operate on 100% hydrogen, representing a significant advancement beyond current technologies that can only run on natural gas and 25% hydrogen blends. The plant is based on the Wärtsilä 31 engine platform, offering swift grid synchronisation, unmatched fuel flexibility, and high part load efficiency. With over 1 million running hours and 1,000MW installed globally, the concept has received certification from TÜV SÜD, marking a significant milestone. Anders Lindberg, the president of Wärtsilä Energy, emphasized the importance of flexible, zero-carbon power generation to support the transition to renewables. Noting that natural gas will continue to be part of power systems for some time, Lindberg highlighted the company's engines' capability to use natural gas for flexibility before converting to hydrogen. The plan is to make the hydrogen-ready engine available for orders in 2025 and for delivery starting in 2026, aiming to contribute to the development of 100% renewable power systems.