In a significant leap for cleaner energy, Georgia Power and Mitsubishi Power have successfully completed testing of a 50% hydrogen-natural gas blend in an advanced class gas turbine at Plant McDonough-Atkinson.
A collaborative effort between Georgia Power and Mitsubishi Power has culminated in a groundbreaking achievement in the pursuit of sustainable energy. The companies announced today the successful completion of a second trial, blending 50% hydrogen with natural gas at both partial and full load on an M501GAC natural gas turbine at Georgia Power's Plant McDonough-Atkinson. This pioneering demonstration is the first to validate such a high hydrogen fuel blend on an advanced class gas turbine and stands as the largest test of its kind globally, demonstrating an impressive approximately 22% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to using 100% natural gas.
The comprehensive testing, which took place over several weeks in May and June, included multiple blend percentages ranging from 5% to the final 50% target. This latest success builds upon a previous 20% by volume hydrogen blending test completed at the same facility in 2022, showcasing Georgia Power's continuous commitment to innovative research and development (R&D) in cleaner natural gas technologies.
A key enabler of this landmark achievement was the conversion of the existing gas turbine last year from steam-cooled to air-cooled. This conversion incorporated J series combustion technology, renowned for its high hydrogen co-firing capability. Beyond supporting the successful hydrogen blend testing, this upgrade offers practical benefits such as faster startup times, increased turndown capability, and reduced maintenance expenses.
Georgia Power, the largest electric subsidiary of Southern Company, has been a driving force behind this collaboration, aligning with its ongoing commitment to advance reliable and affordable energy solutions for its customers while actively reducing carbon emissions. The company has already made significant strides, reducing its carbon emissions by over 60% since 2007.
Mitsubishi Power provided a full turnkey service for this complex project, encompassing engineering, planning, hydrogen blending hardware, controls, commissioning, and risk management. The company also partnered with Certarus for the sourcing and management of the hydrogen supply and logistics.
Natural gas continues to be a cornerstone of Georgia Power's energy strategy, currently accounting for 40% of its annual energy generation. To meet the increasing energy demands of a growing Georgia, the company is actively working with the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) through its Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) process. This includes the development of three new Mitsubishi Power simple cycle combustion turbine resources at Plant Yates, which are designed with hydrogen utilization capabilities, as approved in the 2023 IRP Update.
