H2-Ready – an analysis of technical requirements for the conversion of gas and combined cycle power plants

When is a power plant ready for hydrogen operation? This question is addressed by the researchers of the RLI. Within the framework of a policy brief, they are determining how the conversion or new construction of so-called H2-ready power plants can be made possible.

Ready for 100 percent hydrogen

In the future, gas-fired or combined cycle power plants should be able to run on 100 percent renewable hydrogen – in other words, be “H2-ready.” However, exactly what this means technically and what steps are necessary to convert existing power plants has not yet been conclusively clarified.

Costs and time for conversion

With the help of experts from industry and technology, the RLI researchers are therefore identifying the challenges involved in converting to the exclusive use of hydrogen. In addition to technical aspects, they also consider the costs and duration of the conversion. They also include infrastructure requirements and the availability of renewable hydrogen in large quantities in the analysis.

The goal: a fully renewable electricity system

Finally, an outlook is given on the capacities of hydrogen-fueled power plants that Germany will need by 2045 in order to achieve a fully renewable electricity system. For this purpose, the researchers include both the development of gas-fired power plants based on various scenarios and the capacity of H2-fired peak load power plants in 2045 in their estimate.

Project period: August – November 2023

• Analysis of existing definitions of H2-readiness of power plants
• Conduct interviews with experts
• Analysis of technology and costs of a retrofit
• Evaluation of energy scenarios
• Preparation of a policy brief