Hydrogen emits only water when burned and if this hydrogen is produced from via electrolysis from solar PV or wind power, the process results in a 100% carbon-free fuel source. IPA is striving to minimize its carbon footprint across Utah, Nevada and California.
Plan to convert IPP to 100% hydrogen by 2045
Black & Veatch was chosen for the Intermountain Power Project (IPP) Renewal Project due to its long-standing relation with the operator, having designed the original coal-fuelled IPP in the early 1980s. The conversion will see the coal power unit get replaced by a gas-fired unit, driven by two single-shaft combustion turbines in combined-cycle mode.
These turbines will be commercially guaranteed capable of blending 30% green hydrogen at start-up, with plans to increase hydrogen utilization to 100% by 2045.
In addition to installing the two combined cycle units at the Intermountain power plant, Black & Veatch will support expansion of existing switchyards, new HVDC converter stations, and conversion of the two existing 900 MW generators into synchronous condensers.
Flexible dispatch to respond to renewable swings
The hydrogen co-fired CCGT s being designed with high thermal efficiencies and an operational flexibility that will allow it to quickly ramp up and down in response to California’s challenging “duck curve.” Hence, it can be dispatched for baseload power, to follow load and renewable generation swings, or in response to long-duration energy storage needs that far exceed current battery capabilities.
Going forward, the IPP Renewal Project envisions development of long-duration hydrogen storage in geologic salt caverns that are adjacent to the power plant. If feasible, this would result in a fully dispatchable zero-carbon energy resource capable of providing highly reliable and resilient electricity r on demand.
“Using renewable energy in the form of green hydrogen will help California meet its zero-carbon state goals for 2045,“ said Brian Sheets, project manager with Black & Veatch’s power business.
“The location in central Utah is significant,” he stressed, explaining that the local geology allows for storing excess hydrogen in large underground caverns. Moreover, existing regional transmission infrastructure will serve as a hub for collecting and transporting renewable energy to southern California.