| Hydrogen The prize


Despite the challenges, hydrogen represents a significant opportunity in the transition to cleaner energy systems. As a clean energy carrier, hydrogen has immense potential. It is abundant, and its unique ability to produce only water vapour when utilised in fuel cells and combustion systems makes it a compelling solution to reduce emissions in transport and industrial applications. Hydrogen can act as a versatile energy storage medium, capable of storing excess renewable energy electrons in molecular form and thereby helping to stabilise power grids reliant on intermittent sources like wind and solar. There are economic benefits as well. According to the Hydrogen Council, a hydrogen economy could generate as many as 30 million jobs across the globe by 2030. Environmentally, offshore hydrogen production provides a viable pathway towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions and displacing fossil fuels in hard-to-decarbonise industrial processes and transportation sectors. Maximising these opportunities will require continued advancements in electrolysis technology, particularly those that enhance


efficiency, durability, and scalability, leading to a reduction in production costs and improvement in performance. Similarly, advancements in hydrogen storage technologies, which can enable the safe and cost-effective storage of hydrogen both offshore and onshore, will be vital for integrating offshore production into the wider energy system.


Robust regulatory support Beyond technological advancements, robust regulatory support is essential and governments are expected to develop more comprehensive regulatory frameworks that foster the development of offshore hydrogen facilities. These frameworks should include: establishing clear permitting processes; implementing financial incentives and funding mechanisms;


developing standardised safety protocols; and facilitating integration not just into electricity grids and hydrogen distribution networks but also potentially blending hydrogen into existing natural gas infrastructure.


At an international level, the joint development


of standardised technologies, and the establishment of collaborative research programmes across borders will help to reduce costs, streamline the development process, and avoid duplication of effort. This collaboration is also vital for guaranteeing that offshore hydrogen production is environmentally responsible, prioritising the protection of marine ecosystems and local communities.


Transformative opportunity Offshore green hydrogen represents a transformative opportunity for the global energy transition. While challenges remain — ranging from safety concerns to high capital costs — collaborative efforts between private industry, governments, and research institutions can overcome these barriers. ABS brings decades of expertise in guiding innovators and industry stakeholders through new technologies and ensuring safety standards. By supporting infrastructure development and certification processes, ABS aims to help offshore green hydrogen achieve its potential as a cornerstone of a low-carbon future.


Georgia Power M501GAC gas turbine 50% H2


Georgia Power and Mitsubishi Power have reported successful completion of a second trial blending hydrogen and natural gas fuels at both partial and full load on an M501GAC natural gas turbine at Georgia Power’s Plant McDonough- Atkinson in Smyrna, Georgia, USA. The demonstration project is thought to be the first to validate 50% (by vol) hydrogen fuel blending for an advanced class gas turbine, and the largest test of this kind in the world to date, with the 50% blend providing an approximately 22% reduction in CO2


emissions compared to


100% natural gas. Several tests were conducted prior to the 50% blend demonstration including multiple blend percentages that ranged from 5% to 50%, with testing carried out across several weeks in May and June 2025.


In 2022, an existing gas turbine at the site was converted from steam-cooled to air-cooled, which included installation of J series combustion technology with its proven high-hydrogen


co-firing capability. The conversion brings the benefits of faster startup times, increased turn down capability and decreased maintenance expenses, says Mitsubishi Power, while also supporting hydrogen blend testing. Georgia Power, the largest power generation subsidiary of Southern Company, collaborated with Mitsubishi Power on the hydrogen testing as “part of a continued commitment to R&D to advance reliable and affordable energy for customers, while reducing carbon dioxide emissions across its generation fleet.” Georgia Power has in fact reduced its carbon dioxide emissions by more than 60% since 2007. This latest H2


blend test completed on


First of three new M501JAC simple gas turbines being delivered to the Georgia Power’s Yates site (Photo: Mitsubishi Power)


test follows a 20% (by vol) blend


test at McDonough-Atkinson completed in 2022. The Plant McDonough-Atkinson facility, located less than ten miles from downtown Atlanta, has been generating electricity for more than 80 years. It was fully converted to natural gas in 2012, with an expansion of installed capacity. It currently has six large, advanced gas turbines in operation (M501G and M501GAC series), as well as three steam turbines running in three 2-on-1 combined cycle blocks, plus two gas/oil fuelled combustion turbines.


Georgia Power’s Plant McDonough- Atkinson site (Photo: Georgia Power/ Mitsubishi Power/Certarus)


As previously noted, the hydrogen-blend testing was carried out on a M501GAC gas turbine unit, with an output of 283 MW. Mitsubishi Power provided full turnkey service for the project including engineering, planning, hydrogen blending hardware, controls, commissioning and risk management. It partnered with Certarus to source and manage the hydrogen supply and logistics.


Southern Company’s substantial in-house R&D organisation, which is focused on low-carbon hydrogen-based power generation, production, delivery, transportation, infrastructure and energy storage, served as technical consultant on the project.


Natural gas currently provides 40% of Georgia Power’s electricity generation and has long been a bedrock fuel for the company. It is currently developing three new Mitsubishi Power M501JAC simple cycle combustion turbine units – also capable of utilising hydrogen – at Plant Yates in Coweta County, as approved by the Georgia PSC in the 2023 Integrated Resource Plan Update. The first of the three new simple cycle gas turbines was delivered to the Yates site in August 2025. In addition to new natural gas generation, Georgia Power is also investing in the upgrade of existing gas fired power plants, notably uprating of ten gas turbines – both combined cycle and simple cycle – at Plant McIntosh..


www.modernpowersystems.com | September 2025 | 33


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  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55