Chesapeake Utilities Corporation has successfully combined hydrogen and natural gas to power the Eight Flags Energy Combined Heat and Power (CHP) facility in Nassau County, Florida.
Chesapeake Utilities is attempting to develop lower carbon energy sources as part of a strategic initiative to actively support and enhance the sustainability efforts of the communities it serves. The CHP plant offers an unparalleled opportunity to evaluate the feasibility and operating features of hydrogen-natural gas blends in a controlled and well monitored industrial setting.
The hydrogen test program at Eight Flags CHP was designed to develop operating procedures and standards for the safe transportation and injection of hydrogen into a distribution system. The Company is now validating the CHP plant’s emissions reductions. The Company is also evaluating the usage of the hydrogen blend in cooperation with Solar Turbines, the manufacturer of the Eight Flags gas turbine.
Chesapeake Utilities’ Marlin Gas Services subsidiary delivered hydrogen to the CHP site’s Chesapeake-owned distribution infrastructure. A redesigned connecting point was isolated from other distribution customers, allowing hydrogen to be delivered directly from the specialized Marlin tankers. The hydrogen was mixed and delivered to the combined heat and power plant via existing steel service mains.
Chesapeake Utilities acquired an upgraded air permit to operate with a hydrogen blend prior to testing.
Minor adjustments were made to the CHP plant to enable the turbine to operate on a 4% hydrogen blend. The present turbine is slated for normal replacement later this year; the replacement turbine will be capable of operating at a greater hydrogen concentration.
Chesapeake Utilities services a diverse industrial customer base throughout Florida and Delmarva. Its large-volume customers are increasingly considering ways to improve their carbon management. Chesapeake sees numerous potential to assist customers of all sorts and sizes in their pursuit of low-carbon energy sources. Hydrogen, in conjunction with renewable natural gas, conservation, carbon capture, and other emerging technologies, will eventually provide clients with a broader array of sustainable energy options.
“Natural gas has been the obvious choice for years; blending hydrogen with natural gas provides even lower carbon impacts without sacrificing the qualities that make natural gas a desired industrial fuel choice,” said Jeff Householder, president and CEO. “Additionally, many industrial customers are served by dedicated mains or metering and regulation facilities where hydrogen delivery interconnections can be easily constructed. At most industrial customer sites, at least on our systems, you can also find an interconnect location that can be accessed by a hydrogen tanker truck.”
The Eight Flags CHP hydrogen blend test project collects real-world operational data to illustrate the practical usage of hydrogen mixed natural gas in an industrial setting. Chesapeake Utilities became interested in hydrogen to assist our larger clients in reducing their carbon footprints. Providing hydrogen blended fuel, providing technical help and operating training, and investing in customer-site equipment are just a few of the Company’s customer satisfaction and retention objectives.
