Mitsubishi Power said it validated a 20% fuel blend of hydrogen and natural gas at both load partial and full load on an M501G natural gas turbine at Georgia Power’s McDonough-Atkinson plant in Smyrna, Georgia. 

The demonstration project was the company’s first to validate that hydrogen fuel blend in one of its Advanced Class gas turbines in North America, and the largest test of its kind to date. It said the 20% blend provided a roughly 7% cut in carbon emissions compared to natural gas.

Georgia Power and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) worked with Mitsubishi Power on the test.

The Plant McDonough-Atkinson facility is around 10 miles from downtown Atlanta, and was converted to natural gas in 2012. It currently operates six M501G series gas turbines with a combined generating capacity of 2,520 MW. It also operates three steam turbines operating in three blocks of 2-in-1 combined cycle configuration.

Mitsubishi Power said it completed hydrogen blending in an M501G gas turbine unit with an output of around 265 MW. It said the dry hydrogen mixture with low NOx content was successful by up to 20% at the projected 100% natural gas combustion temperature, within emissions compliance for the existing air permit, and with no impact on maintenance intervals. The team also was said to have confirmed improved reduction by testing up to 20% hydrogen at a minimum charge that meets emission standards.

Mitsubishi Power provided engineering, planning, hydrogen blending hardware, controls, commissioning and risk management services. Certarus provided and managed the hydrogen supply. 

Earlier this year, Mitsubishi Power said that it construction was underway for a hydrogen testing facility in Japan. 

EPRI researchers were present during the tests, and the organization is expected to release a report on the results later this summer.