The HyPowerGT project aims at moving technological frontiers to enable gas turbines to operate on hydrogen without dilution. The core technology is a novel dry-low emission combustion technology (DLE H2) capable of handling mixtures of natural gas and hydrogen with concentrations up to 100% H2. The combustion technology has been successfully validated at TRL5 (early 2021) retrofitted on the combustion system of a 13 MWe industrial gas turbine (NovaLT12). Besides ensuring low emissions and high efficiency, the DLE H2 combustion technology offers fuel flexibility and response capability on a par with modern gas-turbine engines fired with natural gas. The new technology will be fully retrofittable to existing gas turbines, thereby providing opportunities for refurbishing existing assets in industry (CHP) and offering new capacities in the power sector for load levelling the grid system (unregulated power) and for mechanical drives. The DLE H2 technology adheres to the strictest specifications for fuel flexibility, NOx emissions, ramp-up rate, and safety, stated in the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda 2021-2027. System prototype. The new DLE H2 combustion technology will be further refined and matured and, towards the end of the project, demonstrated at TRL7 on a 16.9 MWe gas-turbine engine (NovaLT16) fired with fuel blends mixed with hydrogen from 0-100% H2. Within this wide range, emphasis is placed on meeting pre-set targets for (a) fuel flexibility and handling capabilities, (b) concentration of hydrogen fuel during the start-up phase, (c) ability to operate at varying hydrogen contents, (d) minimum ramp speed, and (e) safety aspects pertaining to any level with regard to related systems and applications targeting industrial gas-turbine engines in the 10-20 MWe class. A digital twin will be developed to simulate performance and durability characteristics, emulating cyclic operations of a real cogeneration plant in the Italian paper industry.

The project aims at moving technological frontiers for low-emission combustion of hydrogen to fuel modern gas turbines at high firing temperatures and pressures, beyond the latest state-of-the-art. This will be achieved whilst maintaining high engine performance, efficiency, fuel and load flexibility, without diluents. At the same time, all emission targets set by the Clean Hydrogen JU Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) will be met. The idea is based on a proprietary combustion technology, designated constant pressure sequential combustion (CPSC) already deployed into the GT36 H-class engine (760 MW in combined cycle). The CPSC concept, based on a unique longitudinally staged combustion system, yields the best fuel flexibility and has the greatest potential to achieve the project target of demonstrating stable and clean combustor operation with concentrations of hydrogen admixed with natural gas, up to 100%, at firing temperatures typical of modern H-Class engines. The new, improved combustor design will be fully retrofittable to existing gas turbines, thereby providing opportunities for refurbishing existing assets. The primary objective is to demonstrate the CPSC technology in engine relevant environment (TRL6) in three steps (70, 90 and 100 vol% H2). In this pursuit, a subset of specific performance data (KPIs) will be met within the project timeline and with the planned resources and allocated budget. The project uses state-of-the-art computational tools, analytical modelling, and diagnostic techniques to investigate static and dynamic flame stabilisation. Testing is performed at world-class laboratories in test campaigns at reduced scale and in full size (at atmospheric and pressurised conditions). In preparation for commercialisation, the project will also develop a roadmap towards deployment of the developed system into operation and demonstration into a power plant environment quantifying the valuable contributions to the EU Green Deal.

InsigH2t aims to advance the current scientific understanding regarding the effect of pressure on the turbulent burning rate, thermoacoustic response, and emissions performance of premixed hydrogen flames under relevant gas-turbines operating conditions. Hydrogen, with its high diffusivity and reactivity, poses significant challenges to its clean and efficient utilisation as a fuel in gas-turbines, due to the lack of understanding of its pressure-dependent turbulent burning rate, crucial for combustion stability in gas-turbines operation. InsigH2t leverages high-pressure experimental measurements, featuring advanced optical diagnostics, coupled to cutting-edge direct numerical simulations, focusing on a selection of simple canonical flames that are paradigms of more complex industrial burner geometries and configurations. The fundamental insights gained will facilitate the development of advanced models and enhanced design tools, empowering industrial OEMs to reduce the significant development time and costs of hydrogen combustion technologies. By leveraging science-based predictive capabilities, InsigH2t aims to accelerate the deployment of clean, reliable, and efficient hydrogen-fired gas turbines. The project's impact extends beyond scientific understanding, addressing directly relevant industry challenges. Crucially, the involvement of two gas turbine OEMs ensures full alignment with the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda of the Clean Hydrogen Joint Undertaking, facilitating the swift transfer of improved combustion methodologies and understanding towards application in operational power plants. Ultimately, InsigH2t's contributions align fully with the objectives of the EU Green Deal, reducing dependency on fossil fuels and offering a tangible pathway towards a more sustainable energy future.

Highly efficient energy conversion of solar power and storage will play a vital role in a future sustainable energy system. Thus, this project focuses on the development of a novel high-efficiency solar thermal power plant concept with an integrated electricity storage solution. The project combines air-based central receiver Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) and Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES) to maximize conversion efficiency and power grid energy management, enabling a new operation strategy and business models. The hybrid concept initiates a futuristic era with adaptive renewable power plants, producing both electrical and thermal energy, including process heat supply and reverse osmosis desalination. Because cheap off-peak electricity is used to provide the air compression work of the topping Brayton cycle, the overall peak solar-to-electric energy conversion efficiency of the proposed power plant may reach up to 40% efficiency, which roughly doubles the peak efficiency with respect to state-of-the-art CSP technology. The project’s activity will cover the techno-economic-environmental optimisation of the innovative CSP-CAES plant using representative boundary conditions, provided by grid operators and specialised partners, as well as the development and extensive testing of key components needed for its implementation. The main development will cover: (i) an advanced high-efficiency solar receiver, (ii) optical sensors and AI-based control, (iii) optimized CAES with heat exchangers and compressor/expander detailed designs and (iv) innovative integration of desalination. The proposed technology is set forth by an interdisciplinary partnership spanning the entire CSP value chain. Targeting a TRL of 6-7, the ASTERIx-CAESar concept will be validated with a demonstration scale of 480 kWth prototype in a relevant environment.