Standard content for Members only
To continue reading this article, please login to your Utility Week account, Start 14 day trial or Become a member.
If your organisation already has a corporate membership and you haven’t activated it simply follow the register link below. Check here.
Intergen has unveiled plans to convert its Rocksavage combined-cycle gas turbine plant in Cheshire to run on hydrogen, starting with a blend of hydrogen and natural gas.
The power station at Runcorn near Liverpool would be supplied by the hydrogen network proposed as part of the HyNet North West project, which also includes the construction of a carbon capture and storage network as part of efforts to decarbonise the North West and North Wales regions starting in the mid-2020s.
Intergen said it expects the network to be able to supply enough hydrogen by 2028 to convert the power station, which currently has a capacity of 810MW, to run on 100 per cent hydrogen as the turbine technology becomes available.
“The proximity of the Rocksavage power plant to the HyNet North West hydrogen network provides us with an exciting and unique opportunity,” said Intergen plant manager Dan Fosberg.
“As soon as the first stage of the hydrogen network is available at Runcorn, InterGen intend to modify the existing generating plant to consume a blend of hydrogen with natural gas and start to reduce our emissions.
“The HyNet North West project milestones mean that Rocksavage could be the first plant in the UK to blend Hydrogen with natural gas, a step forward for the industry in the target for net-zero.
“Once the gas turbine technology becomes available, we will explore options with HyNet North West to create a zero-emissions power station using 100 per cent hydrogen,” he added.
HyNet North West project director David Parkin said: “HyNet North West will play a big part in tackling climate change across the region from 2025 by reducing the region’s carbon emissions by 25 per cent within just five years.
“It will ensure the region remains an attractive location for investment and for companies to grow through the establishment of a clean economy, protection of skilled jobs and creation of thousands of new long-term employment opportunities.
“Our partnership with Intergen at Rocksavage shows just how great an impact HyNet will have on the region – decarbonising homes, workplaces, travel and industry.”
The HyNet project is initially expected to supply so-called blue hydrogen produced by reforming natural gas and capturing and storing the resulting carbon dioxide emissions. Other partners in the consortium include the gas distribution network Cadent and the Italian oil company Eni.
Please login or Register to leave a comment.