Constellation sets industry record for blending hydrogen with natural gas
In Maryland, Constellation, a producer of carbon-free energy, has set an industry record for blending high concentrations of hydrogen with natural gas.
Working with Siemens Energy and EPRI, the hydrogen blending test was conducted at Constellation’s Hillabee Generating Station, a 753-megawatt combined-cycle natural gas plant in central Alabama that began operating in 2010.
The test showed that with only minor modifications, an existing natural gas plant of that age can safely operate on a blend of 38 percent hydrogen, nearly doubling the previous blending record for similar generators.
“This test proved what we’ve suspected for years — that blending clean hydrogen with natural gas can safely reduce emissions without major modifications to an existing plant that’s well over a decade old,” said Joe Dominguez, president and CEO of Constellation. “As the EPA and numerous climate experts have acknowledged, the availability of affordable clean hydrogen at scale will be essential if we are going to prevent the ravaging effects of climate change.”
A 38% blend rate would reduce Hillabee’s carbon emissions by approximately 270,000 metric tons annually. Experts from Siemens Energy and EPRI collaborated with Constellation on the fuel blending tests.
