The Net Zero Technology Centre (NZTC) and Siemens Energy have demonstrated what they claim is a world-first pilot of an aero-derived gas turbine running on green methanol.
The test at the RWG facility in Aberdeen shows there is a basis for reductions of up to 75% in offshore CO2 emissions compared to the conventional fuels in use across the UK Continental Shelf, the NZTC said.
The pilot is part of its ETF Alternative Fuel for Gas Turbines project, pursuing a cost-effective and retrofittable solution for existing gas turbines to help decarbonize the power generation sector across Scotland’s oil and gas operations.
Potentially, NZTC added, the results show that offshore facilities could employ low-carbon fuels without extensive modifications, helping the industry achieve net-zero targets.
The ETF project is one of seven in the center’s Net Zero Technology Transition Programme (NZTTP), which has a grant of £16.5 million ($19.78 million) from the Scottish Government’s Energy Transition Fund to transform the North Sea energy system.
