GE Gas Power has announced the signing of an MoU with Japan-based IHI Corporation to jointly develop ammonia combustion technologies for heavy duty gas turbines to generate electricity with reduced or near zero CO₂ emissions.
The collaboration aligns with the companies’ commitment to support the global transition towards a lower-carbon future in the power generation sector, a GE release said.
Follow-up of June 2021 development
The MoU marks a significant milestone following the announcement in June 2021 of the first MoU between GE and IHI to carry out an economic assessment for the use of ammonia as a carbon-free fuel for both existing and new gas turbines. As part of the MoU, both parties will further define a technology roadmap to develop gas turbine technologies by 2030 that will enable GE’s 6F.03, 7F and 9F gas turbines to fire up to 100 per cent ammonia in a safe and commercially competitive manner, with potential implementation across additional gas turbines in the future.
Towards carbon-free fuels
“GE—as a leader in combustion technologies—will bring its extensive experience and expertise in engineering and manufacturing gas turbine combustors and balance of plant systems. GE continues to play an important role in supporting the advancement of the world’s energy goals, working alongside IHI Corporation which is a leader in developing ammonia combustion technologies and value chain development globally,” said Scott Strazik, CEO of GE Vernova. “We hope that this collaboration will pave the way for power plant operators to pursue the adoption of carbon-free fuels such as ammonia for power generation in their GE gas turbines and significantly contribute towards lowering carbon emissions in the power sector globally.”
Also read: GE Gas Power Strengthens Regional Supply Chain And Collaborations
Enhancing the ammonia value chain
Hiroshi Ide, President of IHI Corporation said, “IHI continues to develop businesses across the entire fuel ammonia value chain, from production to transport, storage and utilization. Through this collaboration with GE, we will focus our efforts on satisfying domestic and overseas demand for large- scale ammonia gas turbines, stimulating further demand for fuel ammonia and expanding the fuel ammonia value chain to rapidly realize a carbon-neutral society.”
Featured photograph showing GE’s 7F gas turbine is for representation only. (Photo: GE)
