Gas Turbine Drives for Pipeline-Compressors: Assessing the Influence of H2-Blends on Performance, Load Dynamics, and Emissions of a Gas Turbine With DLE Technology in a Real-World Field-Study

The integration of hydrogen into the natural gas infrastructure poses new challenges for existing technologies, such as gas turbines or compressors. Investigating the behavior of those plants, especially gas turbines as mechanical drives, under future fuel requirements in a real environment is thus essential for the development of the future energy system. The work presented here examines the compatibility of a 15-MW gas turbine equipped with dry-low-emission (DLE) technology with hydrogen-enriched natural gas blends, addressing performance, emissions, and dynamics. Further to the modification of the gas turbine and the development of a blending unit, project-related aspects are also described and discussed. The gas turbine displayed good performance, with minimal impacts on power output, thermal efficiency, and fuel consumption in the investigated H2 range. Carbon-based emissions were negligible, while NOx emissions increased with rising H2 fraction, but remained below acceptable limits. In addition, the gas turbine control system successfully activated the DLE mode with any H2 blend. This study confirmed the gas turbine’s suitability for use in the natural gas grid with H2 fractions of up to 25%, demonstrating the potential of this gas turbine for a sustainable energy supply and the importance of thorough testing and monitoring during the transition from fossil fuels to hydrogen.