Baker Hughes has unveiled a hydrogen testing facility at Florence, Italy to support the deployment of hydrogen-ready gas turbines from its NovaLT aeroderivative line.
The new site includes a test bench to allow full load testing, with fuel flexibility up to 100% hydrogen. It features 300-bar pressure and 2,450 kg storage capacity. One NovaLT 16 turbine has undergone full load testing and been delivered to Air Products’ Net-Zero Hydrogen Energy Complex in Edmonton, Canada.
“We need energy growth to meet our needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs,” said Lorenzo Simonelli, CEO of Baker Hughes. “achieved by increasing the efficiency of existing technologies and mature energy assets.”
Today’s NovaLT gas turbine ratings range from 5.5 to 12.7 MW for electric power generation applications, and from 17,000 to 23,000 hp for oil and gas mechanical drive projects. Efficiency-wise they operate at around 29.5 to 36.4% simple-cycle efficiency — and upwards of 85% efficiency for combined heat and power (CHP) cogeneration applications.
They can be installed within around 45 days, say field service engineers, and deliver 35,000 hours of operation between major maintenance intervals. The company also provides a 24-hour engine swap capability.
Meanwhile, the Industrial & Energy Technology (IET) division of the company is reporting a surge in turbomachinery orders for 2023 that includes gas turbines, compressors and other energy production and monitoring technologies.
To find more market-level data, including sales results for 2023, which OEMs and units are selling best, and projections of upcoming sales, growth through the end of 2023, order your copy of the annual Gas Turbine Market Forecast, 2024-2033 at this link.
Baker Hughes recorded more than $14 billion in sales, up 12% on the previous year. This includes several large contractual service agreements (CSA) for maintenance, large liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects in the Middle East, supply of equipment for floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels, and several other LNG and offshore projects in North America and Europe.
Simonelli also advocates an international push to replace coal with natural gas as one of the most effective ways to decarbonize industry. “There is no world without hydrocarbons for the next several decades,” he said.
