Power plants: hydrogen in power generation
How to reach decarbonization goals in line with the growing demand for energy
Hydrogen's potential as a fuel source is unparalleled: Its combustion releases intense heat with no CO2 emissions. Additionally, hydrogen is used in fuel cells generating electricity through a clean chemical reaction emitting only water vapor as a by-product. This makes hydrogen a game-changer for clean and sustainable energy solutions, especially if produced with electricity from renewables (green hydrogen). However, the requirements for the measurement devices to be used are challenging.
Key facts
160 GW of electrolyzers
installed annually on average up to 2050 to meet the electricity demand for green hydrogen production
The hydrogen ecosystem
©Endress+Hauser
©Endress+Hauser
©Endress+Hauser
Endress+Hauser provides you with an extensive range of products, services and solutions to enhance the reliability and security of the entire H₂ value chain.
Process of hydrogen blending for gas-fired power plants.
Process of feed water preparation for electrolysis.
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Hydrogen blending for natural gas-fired turbines
Energy companies that produce, process, transport and distribute natural gas are now working towards a future with hydrogen as a significant part of the energy mix. When using renewable energy sources for low-emission power generation, hydrogen can be an alternative or addition to conventional fuels for gas turbines. In the coming years and decades, natural gas will be mixed with hydrogen in increasing concentrations.
Our expertise in the field
With the help of process measurement solutions from Endress+Hauser, a new Long Ridge Energy (LRE) power plant is successfully showcasing the viability of clean hydrogen in power generation. The facility was fitted with Coriolis flow meters and a Raman Rxn5 analyzer to measure and validate the H2 injection rate and the quality of the blend. Reliable, nearly instantaneous feedback about the integrity of the gas blend helps to prevent hydrogen overshoot, which could damage the combustion system.
- Raman Rxn5 analyzer delivers real-time, reliable composition analysis of rapidly changing gas turbine fuels blended with hydrogen
- Coriolis mass flow meters are capable of multivariable measurement in gas streams, providing excellent accuracy of mass and corrected volume of hydrogen and natural gas including world-wide accepted custody transfer approvals
- EPA compliance (40 CFR Part 75) using reliable fuel flow meters
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Ensuring hydrogen quality for use in fuel cells
To ensure the reliable and efficient operation of fuel cells, high-purity hydrogen is crucial. This typically involves removing impurities to levels that meet specific standards, such as those set by organizations like the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Producing and delivering high-quality hydrogen is critical for the successful implementation of fuel cell technology in various applications, including transportation and stationary power generation.
Our expertise in the field
By using Endress+Hauser Coriolis flowmeters, you safely measure and control the flow of hydrogen. Optical analysis gas analyzers detect the presence of impurities such as moisture (H2O) and oxygen (O2) down to part-per-million levels. The non-contact measurement technology provides reliable, maintenance-free operation to ensure that hydrogen meets quality standards.
- Secured measuring quality and unmatched accuracy with verified, custody transfer proof data
- Robust and reliable design ensures easy installation, commissioning, and long lifetime
- Process impurities can be identified very fast thanks to excellent response times
- Enhanced availability thanks to integrated diagnostic, verification and monitoring with Heartbeat Technology
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Green hydrogen via electrolysis: ensuring water quality
One of the most critical steps for electrolysis is the water preparation to a particular quality specification, which varies for different types of electrolyzer technology. It is essential to measure the following parameters: level, flow, pressure, conductivity, and in some cases pH. As green hydrogen facilities scale up, TOC may be another parameter to quickly detect failures in upstream treatment that would not be caught by conductivity or pH.
Our expertise in the field
Along the different treatment steps, water quality monitoring is crucial to ensure reliability and process efficiency. Discover our broad range of sensors and analyzers to safely monitor these processes.
- Electromagnetic flow meter Promag W 10: high accuracy, optional conductivity measurement, 0xDN feature with full bore (no inlet or outlet runs required, no pressure drop), and simplified operational performance monitoring with Heartbeat Technology
- Reliable conductivity measurement on ultra-pure water for PEM electrolyzers and on potassium hydroxide or lye for alkaline electrolysis for optimal quality monitoring thanks to Memosens 2.0 technology
- Cerabar PMP51B pressure transmitters offer excellent reproducibility and long-term stability as well as easy and remote commissioning
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Highest safety and expert know-how
Given measurement’s critical role in process safety, Endress+Hauser has joined the Center for Hydrogen Safety (CHS) to offer its voice to advance the promotion of hydrogen safety and help CHS ensure safety information, guidance and expertise is available to all stakeholders.
Our expertise in the field
Whether the concerns are around hazardous area protection concepts, SIL ratings or proof testing concepts for Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS), or specific application risk (such as hydrogen permeation), our industry experts are there with you to work through these critical details.
- Reliable and accurate instrumentation for gas separators in electrolysis process for green hydrogen production
- Ensuring highest product quality and reliability following SIL and cyber security guidelines to reduce risk and downtime
- Improved maintenance, lifecycle and asset management: Our IIoT solution platform Netilion helps you to keep track of your installed base, documentation and data management by providing insights about the instruments’ performance and health status
Our offering
Our offering comprises highly reliable measurement devices, services and solutions for hydrogen-based or -enhanced power generation: best-in-class flow meters to reduce cost, maintain compliance and extend turbine life by reducing the risk of flashback, liquid analysis to ensure water quality, gold-plated pressure transmitters for enhanced safety, temperature sensors for optimal operation, purity measurement to ensure fuel cell efficiency, and Raman spectroscopy for gas composition analysis.
- Proven in use technology and solutions for hydrogen ensuring safety and reliability
- We support our customers on their journey through digital transformation as key enabler for decentralized energy supply and energy transition
- Broad portfolio: best-fit measurement equipment from one single supplier
- Unparalleled in accurate and reliable quantity, quality, and gas composition measurement
- Increase system performance while reducing operation costs: Endress+Hauser Heartbeat Technology is a proven comprehensive diagnostic, verification and monitoring concept