Hydrogen |


Siemens Energy to build “Renewstable” H2


hybrid in French Guiana


Siemens Energy is to build a hybrid power plant – incorporating an “intelligent combination” of PV, battery, electrolyser and fuel cell technology – on a turnkey basis in French Guiana, northeast South America, near Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni. Commissioning is scheduled for autumn 2023. In addition to the turnkey construction, Siemens Energy will also provide O&M services over a period of 25 years, including remote control for the plant.


Siemens Energy is supplying the plant to Centrale Electrique de l’Ouest Guyanais (CEOG), a project company owned by Meridiam (majority shareholder), HDF, and SARA.


The PV installed capacity will be about 55 MW. Depending on demand, part of the electricity will be delivered directly to consumers, part will be stored in the battery and part will be used to produce hydrogen in an electrolyser to be converted into electricity using the fuel cell. Total storage capacity is 128 MWh.


The hybrid “Renewstable” power plant will provide an electrical output of 10 MW during the day and evening and 3 MW at night. Intelligent control technology “will ensure that the plant will have an optimal dispatch based on the interaction of the various components” and the hybrid controller will use the weather forecast as an important input parameter for dispatch optimisation.


“Without fuel imports, without greenhouse


Flame sensors, an enabling technology for the hydrogen economy


Both steam methane reformers (SMRs) and gas turbines, two critical components of a future hydrogen value chain, require flame sensors to ensure their safe operation.


In these machines, accumulated uncombusted natural gas or hydrogen fuel can explosively ignite, creating risks and potentially resulting in extensive damage to equipment and plant. High-performing flame sensors alert operators almost instantly when a flame is detected, allowing immediate action to be taken to shut off fuel valves and take other explosion and flame mitigation steps.


Left: Reuter-Stokes flame sensor


Reuter-Stokes Flame Tracker, FT Lite, and Flame Tracker Dry 325 flame sensors detect flames by sensing the UV light that the flames produce.


Flame sensors in SMRs monitor natural gas flames in burners, while in gas turbines, flame sensors monitor flames in the combustion chambers.


Right:


Schematic of Yara Tertre steam


methane reformer


The use of high-performance flame sensors is an important step in lowering risks and thus lowering lifecycle costs for these systems. While flame sensors have been used in gas turbines for years, the introduction of hydrogen gas into the fuel system creates new risks and uncertainties regarding the ability of flame sensors to correctly detect flames. This arises from the different flame properties of fuel as it transitions from 100% natural gas, through gas/hydrogen fuel blends, to 100% hydrogen.


However, Reuter-Stokes flame sensors have undergone multiple tests – including both reduced pressure and atmospheric testing – that demonstrate their success in detecting flames across the entire spectrum of hybrid hydrogen


34 | January/February 2022| www.modernpowersystems.com


fuels, including when the flame is burning 100% hydrogen.


Because steam methane reformers use large volumes of flammable materials, this process is high risk, particularly during the startup procedure. If not controlled, uncombusted natural gas can accumulate in the firebox and then explosively ignite.


Unfortunately, outdated safety systems have been used for decades in SMRs.


With the growing role of low-carbon hydrogen in the energy transition, improving the safety of SMRs is a growing priority. A recent case study demonstrates how this can be done. The Yara Tertre SMR, originally designed and built in the 1960s, wanted to upgrade its safety posture. Following a safety incident in 2009 and then poor performing flame sensors installed subsequently, Yara Tertre needed a flame sensor that could provide high reliability in the harsh environment of the SMR penthouse. They also needed better sensitivity that could detect flame with an indirect view.


The solution was installation of 18 Reuter- Stokes Flame Tracker Dry 325 sensors.


H2 Electrolyser H2 storage


Components of the hybrid power plant


fuel cell


gas emissions and without noise, the residents of French Guiana shall be looking forward to an economic, reliable and clean supply of electricity”, said Karim Amin, executive VP generation, Siemens Energy.


Damien Havard, CEO of HDF, said: “We are very enthusiastic to pursue further discussions on other continents to duplicate this innovative green power plant.”


Siemens Energy’s scope of supply also Battery Solar panels


covers the grid connection and the hydrogen storage system. The digital services include data analytics for plant performance optimisation, including power forecasting using weather forecasts, equipment and plant performance benchmarking, component and plant state-of- health degradation projection, and an optimal component replacement plan. In addition, there will be 24/7 support from Siemens Energy’s Remote Control Center.


Grid connection


Hybrid control centre


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45