The Wärtsilä 31 engine platform, which the hydrogen-ready power plant is based on, is claimed by the company to be the most efficient in the world. It synchronises with the grid within 30 seconds from the start command, ensures energy security through fuel flexibility, and offers unparalleled load-following capabilities and high part-load efficiency. The platform has completed more than 1 million running hours, with over 1,000 MW of installed capacity globally.
Wärtsilä’s 100% hydrogen-ready engine power plant concept, based on the Wärtsilä 31 engine platform, has been certified by TÜV SÜD. TÜV SÜD’s H2-Readiness certification consists of three stages with three corresponding certificates. Wärtsilä has now achieved the first stage with a Concept Certificate for the conceptual design of its engine power plant. The 100% hydrogen-ready engine is expected to be available for orders in 2025 and for delivery from 2026.
Anders Lindberg, President at Wärtsilä Energy, said: “We will not meet global climate goals or fully decarbonise our power systems without flexible, zero-carbon power generation, which can quickly ramp up and down to support intermittent wind and solar.
“We must be realistic that natural gas will play a part in our power systems for years to come. Our fuel flexible engines can use natural gas today to provide flexibility and balancing, enabling renewable power to thrive. They can then be converted to run on hydrogen when it becomes readily available: future-proofing the journey to net zero.
“This is a major milestone for us as a company, and the energy transition more generally, as our hydrogen-ready engines will enable the 100% renewable power systems of tomorrow.”
