Ammonia-Fired Gas Turbine Revolution in Singapore – by Mitsubishi Power
Here’s an article in powermag that talks about Mitsubishi Power’s Ammonia-fired gas turbine revolution in Singapore.
According to the article,
- Mitsubishi Power, Keppel Infrastructure, and DNV signed an MoU to explore ammonia-fired gas turbine feasibility in Singapore
- High-level QRA to assess 100% ammonia as fuel for gas turbine or combined cycle system
- Potential development of ammonia power plant on Jurong Island
- Mitsubishi Power partnering with ITB to research ammonia firing in gas turbines
More details about the project and the processes involved:
The ammonia-fired gas turbine project in Singapore, led by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), Keppel Infrastructure, and DNV, focuses on the development and deployment of this technology on Jurong Island, Singapore. The initiative explores the use of 100% ammonia as a fuel in gas turbines to promote clean power generation.
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Project Overview:
- Objective: To develop a 100% ammonia-fired gas turbine that supports carbon-free power generation.
- Partners: Mitsubishi Power (a subsidiary of MHI), Keppel Infrastructure, and DNV (an independent energy expert and assurance provider).
- Location: Jurong Island, Singapore.
- Timeline: Targeting commercialization around 2025.
Technical and Environmental Aspects:
- Technology: The project aims to develop the world’s first 40MW class gas turbine system powered entirely by ammonia.
- Environmental Impact: Ammonia combustion in turbines aims to achieve high efficiency and low nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions, addressing environmental concerns while maintaining operational performance.
Strategic Significance:
- Energy Transition: This project is a significant step toward Singapore’s energy transition goals, helping to shift from fossil fuels to cleaner alternatives like ammonia, which does not emit CO2 when burned.
- Innovation and Leadership: Mitsubishi Power is pioneering this technology, leveraging over 50 years of experience in gas turbine and hydrogen fuel technologies. This positions the company as a leader in the drive toward decarbonizing power generation.
Collaboration and Development:
- Research and Feasibility Studies: The partnership includes a quantitative risk assessment (QRA) to ensure the safety and viability of ammonia use in power generation.
- Regional Impact: While the immediate focus is on Singapore, the technology has potential implications for broader regional energy strategies in Asia Pacific, promoting cleaner energy sources across the region.
Mitsubishi Power’s Ammonia-Fired Gas Turbines
Mitsubishi Power is actively involved in adapting gas turbines to burn ammonia as a fuel. The process involves several technological innovations:
- Combustion Technology: Ammonia requires different combustion technologies compared to natural gas. Mitsubishi has developed technology that can burn ammonia efficiently while minimizing the emission of NOx (nitrogen oxides), which are harmful pollutants.
- Ammonia Co-firing: Initially, the technology focuses on co-firing, where ammonia and natural gas are burned together. Mitsubishi Power has successfully demonstrated the ability to fire gas turbines with a fuel mix that includes up to 20% ammonia.
Impact and Statistics
- Emission Reduction: By using ammonia as part of the fuel mix, Mitsubishi Power’s turbines can reduce CO2 emissions significantly. For instance, a 20% ammonia blend can reduce a turbine’s carbon emissions by approximately the same percentage, considering that ammonia itself does not emit CO2 when burned.
- Energy Output: Mitsubishi’s modifications allow the turbine to maintain its efficiency and power output levels even when firing with ammonia. This is crucial for ensuring that the transition to cleaner fuels does not come at the expense of energy reliability.
Examples and Implementations
- Takasago Project in Japan: In a pilot project at its Takasago Machinery Works, Mitsubishi Power tested a gas turbine with 20% ammonia co-firing and achieved stable combustion. This project is a significant proof of concept that underpins potential implementations in other markets, including Singapore.
- Future Goals: Mitsubishi Power aims to achieve 100% ammonia firing by the 2030s. This goal aligns with global targets for carbon neutrality and positions the company as a leader in this innovative field.
Significance for Singapore
For Singapore, the integration of ammonia-fired turbines could be transformative. Given its limited land for renewable installations like solar or wind, Singapore heavily relies on imported natural gas for electricity. Shifting to ammonia, potentially produced using renewable energy sources, could help Singapore meet its carbon reduction goals without compromising on energy security.
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