Siemens Energy to install hydrogen-capable turbines in Nebraska

Siemens Energy will provide two SGT6-5000F turbines to power Omaha Public Power District’s (OPPD) new Turtle Creek Station Peaking Plant in Papillion, Nebraska, US.

The turbine facility will be used as a backup generator and will provide reliable power when needed. The turbines can operate on up to 30% hydrogen and biodiesel in support of future technology advancements. The turbines also offer a fast start time and can rapidly stabilise the transmissions system to adjust for the variable output of solar generation.

The Turtle Creek Station is expected to be operational in late Spring of 2023. The station is part of OPPD’s Power with Purpose project involving developing up to 600 MW of solar generation and up to 600 MW of modernised replacement and backup natural gas generation resources.

These hydrogen-capable gas turbines can support a more sustainable energy future because they can meet a rapidly growing electricity demand in the coming years to provide backup power to complement the intermittency of renewable energy. Siemens Energy has set an ambitious target to have all its new gas turbines (the SGT6-5000F included) capable of burning 100% hydrogen by 2030.

Rich Voorberg, president of Siemens Energy North America, said, “We are proud OPPD selected our F-Class Turbines to complement their utility-scale renewable energy generation projects.”

He further added, “As we look to decarbonise energy systems for the future, it is important to be able to increasingly integrate clean burning fuels like hydrogen into our power plants as well.”