Duke Energy Florida has unveiled the DeBary Hydrogen Production Storage System, a first-of-its-kind demonstration project in the U.S. capable of producing, storing, and combusting up to 100% green hydrogen. The facility, located in Volusia County, is designed to diversify the company’s generation fleet, improve grid flexibility, and support the integration of renewable energy.
The system leverages the existing DeBary solar site to power two electrolyzer units that split water molecules into oxygen and hydrogen. While oxygen is safely released into the atmosphere, the resulting green hydrogen is stored in reinforced containers for later use. During periods of high energy demand, the stored hydrogen fuels a combustion turbine upgraded with GE Vernova technology, which can operate on a blend of natural gas and hydrogen or entirely on hydrogen.
By providing on-demand energy, the DeBary system allows turbines to operate independently of weather conditions or time of day, enabling more reliable integration of intermittent renewable sources such as solar power. This capability supports both customer energy needs and cost-effective operation by displacing fossil fuel use.
Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida’s state president, emphasized the significance of the project, stating, “Diverse generation is strong, reliable generation. The DeBary hydrogen project demonstrates our commitment to strategic infrastructure investments that continue to provide value to our customers while meeting rising energy demand.”
Reggie Anderson, vice president of regulated and renewable energy at Duke Energy Florida, added, “The DeBary system allows for safe, reliable generation and storage of clean energy. We are proud of this innovation and the lasting impact it will have on the industry, our company, and our customers.”
Duke Energy Florida, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, operates 12,300 MW of energy capacity, serving approximately 2 million residential, commercial, and industrial customers across a 13,000-square-mile service area in Florida.
This milestone positions Duke Energy Florida at the forefront of green hydrogen innovation in the U.S., demonstrating how hydrogen storage can complement solar generation and enhance grid reliability.
Related
Discover more from SolarQuarter
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
