Our team supported WEC Energy Group and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) in completing a hydrogen blending pilot project.
The pilot goal was to temporarily burn up to 25% by volume of hydrogen as a fuel source in a reciprocating internal combustion engine (RICE) at the A.J. Mihm Power Generation Station in Pelkie, Michigan.
The 18-megawatt (MW) RICE unit was continually monitored to measure performance, output and emissions data. During the testing, the capability of the engine to co-fire hydrogen blends was successfully demonstrated, showing clear improvements in engine efficiency and reduced greenhouse gas emissions, while staying compliant with nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. A 95% engine load was achieved with the 25 vol% hydrogen blend. The project was the first hydrogen power test of a utility-scale, grid-connected reciprocating engine generator in the world.
Our scope included detailed design of blending systems, coordination with the hydrogen supplier and engine manufacturer Wärtsilä, and on-site assistance during the test burn. We were the original engineer-procure-construct (EPC) contractor for the facility.
View the full EPRI report detailing the research results.