Utah’s Intermountain Power Project Renewed (IPP Renewed) has achieved a groundbreaking milestone with the successful delivery of two state-of-the-art gas turbines from Mitsubishi Power.
These turbines, weighing a staggering 694,000 pounds each, arrived at the facility in Delta, Utah, on June 8 and July 21, signifying a remarkable step forward in the IPP Renewed project’s progress. Mitsubishi Power, in collaboration with the Intermountain Power Agency, is driving this endeavor to transform Utah’s energy landscape into a cleaner and more sustainable domain.
The significance of this achievement cannot be understated. According to Cameron Cowan, the General Manager of Intermountain Power Agency, these turbines catapult the IPP Renewed project towards becoming an emblem of innovation. This initiative not only replaces an existing coal plant but also positions itself as a trailblazer in transitioning to cleaner and more dispatchable energy solutions in the region.
The IPP Renewed project entails the retirement of an older coal plant, making way for cutting-edge natural gas generating units that can also operate on hydrogen. This transition involves a comprehensive upgrade to the transmission system connecting the project to Southern California, coupled with the establishment of hydrogen production and storage capabilities. The envisaged facility will harness renewable energy to generate hydrogen through electrolysis, storing this energy in subterranean salt caverns. When needed, the stored hydrogen will be utilized to power turbines and generate electricity.
Anticipated to commence operations in 2025 with a 30% hydrogen fuel blend, the IPP Renewed project harbors the ambitious goal of escalating to a 100% hydrogen operation by 2045. This transition carries immense significance in the battle against carbon emissions. The project is projected to provide an impressive 840 MW of net generation output while striving to reduce carbon emissions by over 75% compared to its current operations.
Bill Newsom, the President and CEO of Mitsubishi Power Americas, underscores the collaborative strength behind the project. He states that the IPP Renewed project exemplifies the power of strategic partnerships and the right capabilities in fostering essential renewable energy infrastructure, propelling the nation closer to its net-zero emissions objectives.
Notably, the timely delivery of the turbines by Mitsubishi Power has been instrumental in maintaining the project’s construction schedule. John Ward, the spokesperson for the Intermountain Power Agency, highlights that while the turbines are initially guaranteed for a 30% hydrogen blend, the aspiration to achieve 100% hydrogen utilization by 2045 necessitates ongoing technological advancements.
Mitsubishi Power has extended its commitment to cleaner energy solutions by partnering with Magnum Development to establish the ACES Delta hub, an advanced clean energy storage project adjacent to the IPP Renewed initiative. This facility will employ electrolyzers powered by renewable energy to produce hydrogen, subsequently stored in two underground salt caverns. The stored hydrogen will then be channeled to support the IPP Renewed project.
