ATLANTA – Georgia Power and Mitsubishi Power have successfully completed a second trial blending hydrogen and natural gas fuels at Plant McDonough-Atkinson in Smyrna, the two companies announced Monday.
The demonstration project is the first to validate a blend of 50% hydrogen fuel and the largest test of this kind in the world to date. The 50% blend resulted in a 22% decrease in carbon-dioxide emissions compared to 100% natural gas.
A first test at the plant was completed in 2022 using a 20% hydrogen blend.
Natural gas currently provides 40% of Georgia Power’s annual energy generation.
“Natural gas serves a critical role in our generation mix, providing flexibility, baseload power and quick response to customer demand,” said Rick Anderson, senior vice president and senior production officer for Georgia Power. “(It) will continue to be an important fuel as we plan to meet the energy needs of a growing Georgia through a diverse portfolio of generation resources.”
The 2025 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) Georgia Power submitted to the state Public Service Commission (PSC) earlier this year calls for the construction of three new Mitsubishi Power gas turbines capable of using hydrogen at the utility’s Plant Yates in Coweta County.
“It has been a privilege to partner with Georgia Power on this landmark project,” Mark Bissonnette, executive vice president and chief operating officer of power generation at Mitsubishi Power Americas, said of the hydrogen fuel test. “This is a significant milestone for both companies to help Georgia Power reduce carbon emissions across its generation fleet.”
The continued use of natural gas as well as coal is a sticking point with environmental groups that oppose that portion of the proposed IRP. The PSC is scheduled to vote on the plan July 15.