Photos: Zero-emission power with HELIOS’s 100% hydrogen gas turbines nears reality
The European HELIOS project is driving forward the integration of fundamental research on hydrogen gas turbines with their technical applications in industry.
Coordinated by the Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), the initiative is focused on becoming a global leader in introducing gas turbines that operate cleanly, safely, and purely on hydrogen, moving away from natural gas.
The TU/e in a press release, said:
Green hydrogen is one of the energy carriers being researched as an alternative to fossil fuels in the industry,
“The European HELIOS project brings together fundamental research on hydrogen gas turbines with their technical applications in industry.”
HELIOS nominated for best success story award
HELIOS, in conjunction with the FLEX4H2 project, has been nominated for the Best Success Story Award by the EU Clean Hydrogen Partnership, which provides the project’s subsidy. This nomination reflects the project’s function within the effort to create a fully hydrogen-fired gas turbine for the energy sector.
Four million dollars fund HELIOS research
The European Clean Hydrogen Partnership has allocated approximately four million dollars to fund the HELIOS project. TU/e is responsible for modeling and theoretical research, while TU Delft manages experimental research and laboratory setups. These contributions establish the project’s foundational knowledge base.
Thomassen Energy builds hydrogen turbine components
The majority of the project budget is directed to the industrial partner, Thomassen Energy B.V. This company is tasked with the construction of test models and the design of turbine components, utilizing the data provided by the academic institutions. The technical development utilizes the commercially available FlameSheet combustor platform for retrofitting existing gas turbines.
To solve combustion speed, flashback, NOx emissions
A primary technical objective of HELIOS is mitigating issues associated with the high combustion speed of hydrogen. The properties of hydrogen contribute to the risk of flame flashback, where the combustion front moves into the burner. Plus, the project must address the formation of nitrogen compounds to manage potential NOx emissions resulting from the combustion process.
Project progresses from lab testing to operational TRL 6
The HELIOS project is structured to progress through defined Technology Readiness Levels (TRL). It begins with combustion rig testing at controlled laboratory conditions (TRL 4). The subsequent phase involves moving toward high-pressure, full-scale rig validation under conditions representative of an operational environment (TRL 6).
Specialized partners offer testing facilities
The consortium incorporates partners with specialized testing facilities. DLR (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V.) offers a lab capable of testing gas turbine combustion systems under high-pressure conditions relevant to industrial operation. CCA (Centro Combustione Ambiente S.p.A.) provides facilities for testing at atmospheric pressure and specializes in measuring acoustic characteristics associated with combustion.
Hydrogen gas turbines will support flexible power grid operation
The HELIOS project’s technological output is designed to support the integration of gas turbines operating on hydrogen. These turbines are intended to provide flexible and dispatchable power generation capacity, which is utilized to balance the intermittent electricity supply inherent in renewable energy sources.
READ the latest news shaping the hydrogen market at Hydrogen Central
Photos: Zero-emission power with HELIOS’s 100% hydrogen gas turbines nears reality, source
