Hydrogen as a Gas Turbine Fuel

This research paper examines the technical feasibility, challenges, and current industry progress regarding the use of hydrogen as a fuel for gas turbines to reduce CO2 emissions. It details the physical differences between hydrogen and natural gas, the necessary modifications to turbine combustion systems, and the current capabilities of major original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

• Hydrogen is an energy carrier rather than a source, produced via methods such as steam methane reforming, coal gasification, and electrolysis. The industry uses a color-coding system to identify production methods: 'Grey' for natural gas reforming without carbon capture, 'Blue' for those with carbon capture, 'Green' for electrolysis using renewable energy, and 'Pink' for electrolysis using nuclear power.
• Replacing natural gas with hydrogen in gas turbines requires significant volumetric adjustments because hydrogen's volumetric energy density is approximately one-third that of methane. A 100% hydrogen blend requires roughly three times the volumetric flow of methane, and a blend of nearly 75% hydrogen is needed to achieve a 50% reduction in CO2 emissions.
• Hydrogen presents several technical challenges for gas turbine operation, including a higher flame speed (>3x that of natural gas) and a wider flammability range, which increase the risks of flashback and fuel ignition in mixing passages. Additionally, hydrogen molecules can permeate metals, causing embrittlement that reduces material fatigue capability, particularly in stainless steels and nickel alloys at high temperatures.
• Combustion system design determines a turbine's hydrogen capacity. Diffusion combustors are currently more capable of burning high percentages of hydrogen, including 100%, but they produce higher NOx emissions that require dilution (using steam, water, or nitrogen) or post-emissions control. Lean premixed (DLE/DLN) combustors offer superior emissions control but are more prone to flame instability and flashback, limiting their current hydrogen blend capacity.
• Major gas turbine OEMs are developing hydrogen-capable technology with targets for 100% hydrogen capability by 2030. Ansaldo Energia targets 100% capability across all frames by 2030; Siemens also targets 100% by 2030 for its latest DLE technologies. General Electric's HA turbines with DLN 2.6e combustion systems can burn up to 50% hydrogen by volume.
• Hydrogen infrastructure requires significant scaling and modification. As of 2021, 98% of global hydrogen was produced using fossil fuels without emissions control. Transportation challenges include the need for hydrogen-tight seals and potential retrofitting of pipelines, as hydrogen's small molecules are prone to leaking and causing embrittlement in certain materials.

APA

Global Energy Monitor (n.d.). Hydrogen as a Gas Turbine Fuel. https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/Hydrogen_as_Gas_Turbine_Fuel_Feasibility_and_Considerations_JN_R5_3.pdf

Chicago

Global Energy Monitor. Hydrogen as a Gas Turbine Fuel. n.d. https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/Hydrogen_as_Gas_Turbine_Fuel_Feasibility_and_Considerations_JN_R5_3.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Global Energy Monitor |title=Hydrogen as a Gas Turbine Fuel |url=https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/Hydrogen_as_Gas_Turbine_Fuel_Feasibility_and_Considerations_JN_R5_3.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{globalenergymonitorndhydrogen, author = {{Global Energy Monitor}}, title = {{Hydrogen as a Gas Turbine Fuel}}, institution = {Global Energy Monitor}, url = {https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/Hydrogen_as_Gas_Turbine_Fuel_Feasibility_and_Considerations_JN_R5_3.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }