Hydrogen-Powered CHP System Boosts Sustainability in St. Paul

Hello, Champions of Net Zero!

We are witnessing an exciting evolution in energy technology as Caterpillar Inc. collaborates with District Energy St. Paul to achieve a groundbreaking milestone in the quest for cleaner energy solutions. Their recent project has successfully demonstrated a 2.0 MW combined heat and power (CHP) system that utilises a Cat® G3516 gas generator set, operating entirely on 100% hydrogen fuel. This pioneering development not only highlights the potential of hydrogen as a viable energy source but also presents a significant step toward a sustainable energy future.

This ambitious project was supported and partially funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), specifically under the Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization Office (IEDO). By teaming up with District Energy St. Paul and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Caterpillar aimed to explore the implications of hydrogen fuel on local air quality while simultaneously showcasing the reliability and durability of hydrogen-powered systems.

The project was meticulously designed to assess the performance of the hydrogen system under real-world conditions. Power and heat generated from the demonstration were fed into Minnesota’s active utility distribution system, ensuring that the results were both practical and applicable. The system operated on both 100% hydrogen and 100% natural gas, each for a duration of up to 200 hours, allowing for a comprehensive evaluation of performance across different fuel types.

Luke Gaalswyk, the president and CEO of District Energy St. Paul, expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating, “As technology in our industry continues to advance, we will need a range of fuels and energy sources to capture the optimal function and efficiencies of these energy systems. It has been exciting for our team to help advance the data on hydrogen use with a global leader like Caterpillar in partnership with the DOE and NREL.” His words encapsulate the collective ambition of the project: to harness the power of diverse energy sources for a more efficient future.

Melissa Busen, senior vice president for Caterpillar’s Electric Power Division, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the significance of the CHP demonstration. “The success of this demonstration underscores our commitment to understanding our customers’ needs and delivering tailored energy solutions that assist them in achieving their energy goals,” she remarked. “This is a great example of our expertise and commitment to developing innovative solutions that help build a better, more sustainable world.” Caterpillar’s dedication to innovation in energy solutions is evident, as they continue to pave the way toward a cleaner, more sustainable future.

District Energy St. Paul has long been recognised as a leader in environmental and energy sustainability. The organisation has received accolades such as a Global Sustainability award from the International Energy Agency and commendations from the United Nations Environment Programme. Their commitment to carbon neutrality by 2050 is not merely a goal but a tangible objective that they have been actively working towards. Over the years, District Energy St. Paul has made significant strides in carbon reduction, successfully achieving nearly 50% renewable heat integration through CHP solutions that utilise solar thermal and biomass, while simultaneously reducing greenhouse gas emissions by an impressive 77% over the past two decades.

These remarkable achievements have been facilitated by enhanced efficiency, improved customer building performance, advanced data and controls management, and the adoption of higher efficiency equipment. As a testament to their unwavering commitment to sustainability, District Energy St. Paul has proven that ambitious environmental goals can indeed be met with dedication and innovation.

Caterpillar’s leadership in hydrogen-fuel power solutions is further demonstrated through their extensive portfolio of energy solutions designed to meet the diverse needs of enterprises striving to achieve their sustainability initiatives. The G3516 fuel-flexible generator set featured in the District Energy St. Paul project is just one of many innovative offerings from Caterpillar. Their hydrogen-fuel power technologies encompass a range of commercially available generator sets, with outputs ranging from 400 kW to 4.5 MW. These systems are configured to operate on natural gas blended with up to 25% hydrogen by volume, facilitated through factory-installed hardware and retrofit kits.

This evolution in energy generation builds upon Caterpillar’s 35 years of experience in hydrogen fuels, supporting numerous power generation projects across various industries. Notably, their gas turbines currently operate on natural gas blended with up to 80% hydrogen by volume, showcasing the company’s commitment to advancing hydrogen technology in the energy sector.

As we look to the future, the implications of this project are profound. The successful demonstration of a hydrogen-powered CHP system not only paves the way for cleaner energy solutions but also sets a precedent for future innovations in the energy landscape. The partnership between Caterpillar, District Energy St. Paul, and the DOE exemplifies the collaborative spirit required to tackle the pressing challenges of climate change and energy sustainability.

In conclusion, we stand at the precipice of a new era in energy. The achievements of Caterpillar and District Energy St. Paul serve as a beacon of hope and inspiration for other organisations committed to sustainability. As we continue to explore the potential of hydrogen and other renewable energy sources, let us remain steadfast in our mission to create a cleaner, more sustainable world for generations to come.

For those interested in delving deeper into Caterpillar’s hydrogen initiatives, more information can be found at cat.com/hydrogen.

It is important to acknowledge that the announcement of this project is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) under the Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization Office (IEDO), Award Number DEEE0009422. However, the views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Department of Energy or the United States Government.