Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) has launched Florida’s first hydrogen power plant pilot program at its Cavendish NextGen Hydrogen Hub, part of the larger Okeechobee power plant. The program will test the feasibility of using hydrogen instead of natural gas to fuel power plants.
FPL is using solar energy to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen is then captured and stored and pumped into combustion turbines to produce electricity.
The program is still in its early stages, and FPL does not know how much it could save customers or when they might see a reduction on their electric bills. However, FPL believes that hydrogen has the potential to reduce carbon emissions and save customers money in the long run.
The Okeechobee power plant was chosen for the pilot program because it has both solar panels and combustion turbines. This allows FPL to produce and use hydrogen on-site.
The plant currently provides power to approximately 380,000 homes across the state, primarily using natural gas.
If successful, the hydrogen power plant pilot program could have a significant impact on Florida’s energy industry. Hydrogen is a clean fuel that produces zero emissions at the point of use. This could help Florida to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and meet its climate goals.
The program could also save FPL customers money in the long run. Hydrogen is a more abundant resource than natural gas, and it can be produced using renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power. This could make hydrogen a more cost-effective fuel source in the future.
