Business Area

DECARBONIZATION TECHNOLOGY

The structural change of energy needs environmental considerations and economic activities. To realize a carbon-neutral society while maintaining a stable power supply, we promote the decarbonization of thermal power generation.

Decarbonization of thermal power generation plants

There is no doubt that renewable energy is essential for achieving a carbon-neutral society. Nevertheless, thermal power generation is becoming more important for its flexibility to satisfy the shortfalls of solar and wind power generation. By converting a conventional fuel to a clean fuel, such as hydrogen and ammonia, decarbonization of thermal power generation plants is possible. Further, by combining the benefits of renewable energy sources with a BESS (Battery Energy Storage System), an energy storage system solutions, extra energy savings can be achieved. Mitsubishi Power develops and offers various technologies for future thermal power generation that will protect our way of life with environmental performance and adjustable capacity.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ Hydrogen Gas Turbine
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ Hydrogen Gas Turbine

Replacing gas turbine fuels with hydrogen and ammonia

Achieving net-zero carbon in power supply is necessary for a carbon-neutral society. For this reason, generating power from hydrogen and ammonia is expected to play an important role. We will significantly reduce CO₂ emission by using mixed combustion where a conventional fuel is combined with hydrogen or ammonia, which does not emit CO₂ when burned. Eventually, we will use single-fuel combustion where only hydrogen or ammonia are used.

Image of a power plant
Image of a power plant

SOLUTIONS

Track Record of Hydrogen Rich Gas Power Generation Since 1990s

Refineries, steel mills, and chemical plants generate power on-site using off gas produced in their manufacturing processes or natural gas purchased from outside as fuel for gas turbines. As large amounts of heat and power are required for their manufacturing processes, many plants have started utilizing cogeneration systems. For achieving decarbonization, a shift of fuels from natural gas to hydrogen is one option. The H-25 gas turbine can help industrial users achieve carbon neutrality with its proven record of hydrogen-rich gas power generation.

Lowering the Minimum Operating Load of Coal-Fired Power Plants

Mitsubishi Power enables continuous operation of coal-fired power plants in low-load conditions by lowering their minimum operating loads, thereby helping to achieve stabilization of the grid. With the growth in renewables, cases can be envisioned in which the demand for coal-fired power falls below the minimum operating load. Lowering the minimum operating load can not only enhance the regulating and reserve capabilities of coal-fired power as a regulated power supply, but it will also minimize the number of start-ups and shutdowns, contributing to reductions in operating costs.

Accelerating Decarbonization: Takasago Hydrogen Park

There is growing interest in power plants to decarbonize from natural gas to hydrogen and achieve carbon neutrality in the upcoming decades. Takasago Hydrogen Park, located at Mitsubishi Power’s Takasago Machinery Works is the world’s first center for the validation of hydrogen-related technologies. The H-25 gas turbine, a 100% hydrogen-fired 30-40 MW class gas turbine, will undergo verification in the Takasago Hydrogen Park to reduce the risks associated with hydrogen combustion. The validation will also include the intelligent solution suite TOMONI®, which was developed based on Mitsubishi Power’s long experience and expertise in the operation and maintenance (O&M) of power plants.

Biomass Adaption for CO₂ Reduction

Mitsubishi Power's biomass combustion technology flexibly accommodates all co-firing ratios, not only in newly-built power plants, but also in existing ones. Through unique conversion programs for existing, coal-fired equipment, this technology makes it possible to switch to biomass combustion within a short period of time. In addition, through the core technology of pulverizers and burners that exhibit the same level of performance as coal-fired plants, it contributes to safe and secure plant operation, even after the conversion. Leveraging its deep experience in building new biomass facilities and converting old ones for biomass use, Mitsubishi Power provides one stop solution.

Comprehensive Approach to Increase the Reliability of Gas Turbines

Gas turbine technology has rapidly advanced over the past few decades, reaching higher power output and higher efficiency. If the gas turbine falls unpredictably, it will cause significant losses to the power supply. To prevent unpredictable failures, and to provide the customers with greater peace of mind in using Mitsubishi Power’s gas turbines, here we would like to introduce our unique methods to show what we have done in the past, and our future plans. Utilizing the latest verification facilities, our development, design, and manufacturing teams work together to make our gas turbines more reliable.

H-25 Combined Heat and Power Plant for District Heating Use

The combined heat and power plant, also being referred to as “cogeneration” is optimized solution for district heating. The adoption of the H-25 gas turbine generator unit and a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) as a cogeneration system will result in the efficient use of fuel to generate power as well as steam and hot water necessary for district heating, with less investment. With almost 200 units operating globally, the H-25 has demonstrated experience and proven reliability that is essential for local public services. There are various maintenance and outage planning options depending on the clients desired level of support. User can choose from a menu of service options that including remote monitoring and long-term service agreement. H-25 is ready for hydrogen. The development of 100% firing with Dry Low NOx Combustor is underway.

Optimization of SCR Catalyst Management

“Optimization of SCR Catalyst Management” is a catalyst performance management agency service offered by Mitsubishi Power. As experts in SCR systems, we propose optimal operation and maintenance of SCR systems by the verification of the actual equipment performance based on the periodical catalyst sample testing and the DCS operational data.

Repowering Ageing Plant with Multiple H-25 Gas Turbines

Converting an existing power station to a gas-fired combined-cycle plant with H-25 improves thermal efficiency by 50% and load-following capability.

Fuel Conversion : Reducing Environmental Impact of Power Generation

The global pursuit of the energy transition has generated strong demand for low-carbon and renewable fuel. Yet, thermal power plants still play an important role in maintaining stability of power supplies in many countries around the world. The environmental impact of thermal power plants must therefore be reduced, and Mitsubishi Power has a variety of solutions to do so, including biomass- and ammonia-firing technology as well as solutions to convert existing coal or oil-fired power plants to natural gas.

H-25 Gas Turbines

Users that operate petrochemical plants, paper mills, or similar facilities with coal-fired power generation systems face pressure to adjust and cope with CO₂ emission regulations and carbon taxes. With its H-25 Series of gas turbines optimized for CHP systems, Mitsubishi Power delivers optimized solutions for the on-site power systems of industrial facilities.

BESS (Battery Energy Storage System)

Amid an increased focus on renewable energy sources, BESS (Battery Energy Storage System) compensates for the intermittency of these sources, providing essential value for operators by enabling a stable supply of electricity thus avoiding curtailment of renewable energy and maximizing their revenue.

Hydrogen Gas Turbine

Mitsubishi Power's hydrogen firing technology enables power plant owners to decarbonize their existing Gas Turbine Combined Cycle (GTCC) plants by converting them to hydrogen co-firing, or even making them 100% hydrogen firing in the future. With minimal modifications, Mitsubishi Power supports the transition process by identifying key preparatory and operational steps necessary to decarbonize generation plants while working with customers to create a roadmap for reducing CO₂ emissions.