A China-based company has successfully ignited the world’s first 30MW-class pure hydrogen gas turbine, marking a major achievement in renewable energy technology.
Named Jupiter I, the turbine is the result of a joint effort between the Mingyang Group and several other companies and research teams. This breakthrough offers a key solution for renewable energy storage by converting hydrogen, stored during off-peak times, back into electricity during peak demand periods.
One of the major challenges with renewable energy is the significant waste of electricity generated during off-peak hours. The new turbine addresses this issue by converting excess electricity into hydrogen for storage, which can then be transformed back into electricity when demand is highest.
Wang Yongzhi, General Manager of Mingyang Hydrogen Gas Turbine Technology, explained that using hydrogen for power generation provides a carbon-free process known as “power-to-hydrogen-back-to-power.” However, he also pointed out that the slow and inefficient conversion process during peak demand times has led to under-utilization, underscoring the need for high-capacity gas turbines like Jupiter I.
