Gas Turbines

GE Vernova launches its first 100% hydrogen-fuelled aeroderivative gas turbine

GE Vernova has announced that its LM6000 gas turbine is planned to operate on 100% hydrogen at the Whyalla hydrogen power plant in South Australia.

GE Vernova launches its first 100% hydrogen-fuelled aeroderivative gas turbine
(Whyalla hydrogen power plant. Image credit: OHPSA)

GE Vernova has announced that its LM6000 gas turbine is planned to operate on 100% hydrogen at the Whyalla hydrogen power plant in the Upper Spencer Gulf, South Australia.

The LM6000 gas turbine is part of the order secured with ATCO Australia for four LM6000VELOX units.

The announcement was made during a signing ceremony at COP29 attended by Ramesh Singaram, president and CEO of Asia, Gas Power, GE Vernova together with The Hon Peter Malinauskas, premier of South Australia and John Ivulich, CEO and Country Chair, ATCO Australia.

The commissioning of the turbine is expected in early 2026 and will mark the first time a GE Vernova power plant project, at commercial scale, is powered by aeroderivative gas turbine combustion technology capable of operating on 100% hydrogen.

GE Vernova’s aeroderivative gas turbine solution will be powered by renewable hydrogen generated at the Whyalla complex, which will include one of the world’s largest hydrogen production and storage plants.

When completed, the 200MW Whyalla hydrogen facility will act as a new source of firming capacity, providing additional grid stability to the state when renewable sources are not not able to meet demand.

Eric Gray, CEO of GE Vernova’s Gas Power business commented in a statement: “GE Vernova has been investing over the years in R&D to advance the capabilities of its combustion systems to burn higher blends of hydrogen. We are proud to unveil our first 100 percent hydrogen-ready aeroderivative gas turbine solution to support our customers’ decarbonization goals while maintaining grid reliability, which requires the deploying of renewable and conventional power technology in tandem.”

According to John Ivulich, CEO and Country Chair, ATCO Australia, deploying this solution will ultimately support South Australia’s decarbonization journey and aligns with the state’s goals outlined in the government’s Hydrogen Jobs Plan.

Said Ivulich: “With more than 70 percent of energy generated from renewable resources, South Australia is set to become a global leader in producing and utilizing renewable hydrogen and we are delighted to be part of this project that can unlock decarbonization opportunities.”

GE Vernova’s portfolio includes over 120 gas turbines that have the capacity to operate or currently are operating on fuels that contain hydrogen, producing more than 530TWh of electricity over 8.5 million hours.

Originally published by Pamela Largue in Power Engineering International.

Tags