Siemens Energy Becomes First Firm to Receive Certification for ‘H2-Ready’ Power Plant Concept

Siemens Energy has become the first company worldwide to receive certification for its “H2-Ready” power plant concept: a natural gas-fired combined cycle power plant (CCPP) that is expected to run partially or fully on hydrogen fuel in the future

Siemens Energy H2 ready Power Plant Credit: Siemens Energy website

Siemens Energy H2 ready Power Plant

Siemens Energy has become the first company worldwide to receive certification for its “H2-Ready” power plant concept: a natural gas-fired combined cycle power plant (CCPP) that is expected to run partially or fully on hydrogen fuel in the future. The global provider of testing, inspection and certification services, TÜV SÜD has developed a guideline for defining the “H2-Readiness” of power plants and is offering independent certification to original equipment manufacturers and engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) companies. This certification increases investment security for utilities.

Hydrogen can play a central role in the decarbonization of energy systems. This is why CCPPs are being viewed with interest by investors across the world. However, the viability of CCPPs for those utilities that plan to purchase this type of power plant depends on the plant’s ability to use hydrogen as a fuel. Until now, however, there hasn’t been a clear definition of what this term means.

The “H2-Ready” certification does not certify existing power plants. It provides a roadmap that describes how plants can be converted over time to co-fire hydrogen or even burn pure hydrogen. Reiner Block, CEO of the Industry Service Division at TÜV SÜD says: “Our guideline enables OEMs, plant operators, and insurers to use a standard transparent framework. The certification covers a complete power plant with the relevant subsystems.”

Karim Amin, Executive Vice President Generation at Siemens Energy, said: “Hydrogen is an important building block for decarbonizing the energy supply. An independent certificate creates certainty for investments. We’re proud to be the first manufacturer to receive this important certification. If we design CCPPs today for future operation with hydrogen, they don’t just serve as a bridging technology to a CO2-free future, they’ll also make an important contribution to a reliable and affordable power supply in the long term.”

To meet ambitious climate goals, it won’t just be combined cycle power plants that are modified as hydrogen power plants. The certification offered by TÜV SÜD can be applied to a wide range of solutions. Siemens Energy already offers hybrid solutions with hydrogen generation, storage, and re-electrification. The company is currently involved in the construction of several power plants that are designed to be partially or fully hydrogen-fired.

More about hydrogen: Hydrogen Fueling Stations & Infrastructure

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