The technology group W?rtsil? is developing the combustion process in its gas engines to enable them to burn 100 per cent hydrogen fuel
W?rtsil? has researched hydrogen as a fuel for 20 years, and has tested its engines with blends of up to 60 per cent hydrogen and 40 per cent natural gas. This development is part of the company?s strategy to future-proof its engine technology in line with the global trend towards decarbonisation of the energy and marine markets.
In addition to hydrogen, other potential renewable fuels are being studied for future applications and W?rtsil? engines are already capable of combusting 100 per cent synthetic carbon-neutral methane and methanol.
?The world is on a path towards 100 per cent decarbonisation and W?rtsil? continues to support this trend with our research and development of future fuels, such as hydrogen. The market for hydrogen-fuelled power plants will emerge along with regulations restricting the burning of fossil fuels,? commented Marco Wiren, president, W?rtsil? Energy Business.
During the energy sector?s transition to carbon neutrality, wind, solar and battery storage will form an increasing share of power systems. There will, however, be a need for renewable fuels to enable long-term storage in persistent low wind and solar weather conditions.
Such fuels will be burned in flexible, fast-starting power plants, and can be produced locally with curtailed wind and solar energy, using just water and air as the raw materials. Underground gas storage is used to store the gas for use during periods when reduced availability of renewables results in the battery storage being drained.
The use of renewable fuels in flexible power plants dramatically reduces the required size of battery storage, improves power system efficiency, lowers generating costs and provides high security of supply even during rare and unusual weather patterns.
