WEC Energy to test co-firing for power generation

US utility WEC Energy Group (WEC), in partnership with the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), said January 26 it would test a blend of hydrogen and natural gas to fuel power generation.

The utility, which provides power and natural gas across four Midwest states, said it will test co-firing hydrogen with natural gas at a power plant in upstate Michigan. It is one of the first US hydrogen power pilot programmes of its kind, mixing hydrogen and natural gas up to a 25%/75% blend to power reciprocating internal combustion engines (RICE).

EPRI will lead the technical implementation of the project and share results with the industry.

"Demonstration projects like this one are critical to advancing clean energy technologies needed to meet net-zero goals," said EPRI CEO Arshad Mansoor. "This project will provide key insights on how this could be replicated throughout the country, providing energy companies with a suite of solutions to reduce carbon emissions."

The blending of natural gas and hydrogen is currently in its early stages of development, with several projects evaluating 20%+ hydrogen/natural gas blends, according to the US Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association.