World premiere: The country in Europe where a giant hydrogen engine has started delivering energy directly to the grid
Large-scale power generation using pure hydrogen engines has passed its first grid delivery test, according to Euronews.com.
A hydrogen-powered engine has supplied electricity to Spain's national grid in an initiative the manufacturer says is a world first in large-scale power generation.
Proponents of this technology say it could help balance carbon-free renewable energy systems.
The technology was developed by the Finnish energy company Wärtsilä and tested at its facility in northern Spain. The engine runs exclusively on hydrogen and is designed to provide electricity when wind and solar sources do not generate enough.
Company representatives say these engines could help balance future power grids without producing carbon emissions. Unlike fuel cells, the system uses a high-capacity internal combustion engine adapted to run on pure hydrogen.
The Finnish company says several units could be combined into industrial power plants capable of producing hundreds of megawatts. However, experts warn that major obstacles remain.
They say the widespread use of hydrogen requires significant investment in production, storage and transport infrastructure, as well as stronger political support.
The engine testing comes as Spain expands its renewable energy sector, where wind and solar sources provide more and more electricity.
