GE Gas Power, IHI expand turbine tech agreement

GE Gas Power and IHI Corp. have agreed to jointly develop ammonia combustion technologies for heavy duty gas turbines for power generation.

The collaboration aligns with the companies’ commitment to support the global transition towards a lower-carbon future in the power generation sector, the companies said.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) extends the first MoU between GE and IHI signed in 2021 to carry out an economic assessment for the use of ammonia as a carbon-free fuel for both existing and new gas turbines. As part of the new MoU, both parties will further define a technology roadmap to develop gas turbine technologies by 2030 that will enable GE’s 6F.03, 7F and 9F gas turbines to fire up to 100% ammonia in a safe and commercially competitive manner, with potential implementation across additional gas turbines in the future.

“GE—as a leader in combustion technologies—will bring its extensive experience and expertise in engineering and manufacturing gas turbine combustors and balance of plant systems. GE continues to play an important role in supporting the advancement of the world’s energy goals, working alongside IHI Corp. which is a leader in developing ammonia combustion technologies and value chain development globally,” said Scott Strazik, CEO of GE Vernova. “We hope that this collaboration will pave the way for power plant operators to pursue the adoption of carbon-free fuels such as ammonia for power generation in their GE gas turbines and significantly contribute towards lowering carbon emissions in the power sector globally.”

Hiroshi Ide, President of IHI Corp., said his company continues to develop businesses across the entire fuel ammonia value chain, from production to transport, storage and utilization.

“Through this collaboration with GE, we will focus our efforts on satisfying domestic and overseas demand for large-scale ammonia gas turbines, stimulating further demand for fuel ammonia and expanding the fuel ammonia value chain to rapidly realize a carbon-neutral society,” Ide said.

Japan’s IHI leveraged its shipbuilding technology to expand into onshore machinery, bridge, plant, aero-engine, and other manufacturing fields. In power generation, the company manufactures boilers and gas turbines for thermal power plants. It is developing technology for ammonia co-firing and 100% firing and is constructing carbon-free fuel ammonia supply chain to help decarbonize the economy.

From left to right: Alan Turley, Minister-Counselor for Commercial Affairs, U.S. Embassy, Tokyo; Scott Strazik, CEO of GE Vernova; Shin Hosaka, Commissioner of Agency for Natural Resources and Energy, METI; Hiroshi Ide, CEO of IHI. (Image: GE Gas Power)