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Podcasts

In this episode of the TurboTime podcast, Myth Buster Klaus Brun and Rainer Kurz discuss ammonia. 

TurboTime Podcast: Ammonia with the Myth Busters

In this episode of the TurboTime Podcast, we talk with Giuseppe Tilocca, Scientific Officer at ETN Global, a non-profit member association in the gas turbine technology space. ETN Global’s recent global report, 

Decentralized Energy Systems: Toward Carbon-Neutral Energy Solutions for Gas Turbines

, compares decentralized systems to centralized heat and power units and highlights its advantages—including modularity, the possibility to exploit waste heat avoiding energy transmission losses, and reducing energy distribution costs. Tilocca reviews these advantages in detail, as well as trends and emerging market opportunities, and he dives into gas turbines and how they fit into decentralized energy systems.

“Considering this specific report, we all know that the energy sector is transforming very quickly, and it's mainly driven by the increasingly high share of renewable energy sources,” Ticolla said. “In this scenario, which is dominated by variable sources whose daily, weekly, and seasonal flexibility are set to go dramatically, to meet the system requirements while accomplishing the ambitious decarbonization goals, we need to support traditional centralized generation with a mix of the centralized components.”

So, how does ETN Global define decentralized energy systems, and what are their advantages?

“Historically, we established centralized energy systems, meaning large plants located far from consumers,” Tilocca explained. “The reason behind it is merely economy of scale and efficiency, so it is cheaper to have one big plant than many small ones; however, with the increasing integration of variable renewable energy sources, which are inherently decentralized, we now need to adapt our infrastructure and incorporate technologies that are traditionally used for centralized energy. By definition, a decentralized energy system is located close to the consumption nodes—so on the end user side of the network—and therefore it's connected to the distribution grid rather than the transmission grid. The advantages of a decentralized energy system are mainly modularity, the possibility of exploiting waste heat, and a positive contribution to stability. In particular, one of the main advantages of being close to consumption nodes is avoiding transmission and distribution losses and also costs compared to centralized generation. Centralized energy systems are pivotal in meeting the pillars of the energy trilemma, which stress the principles of affordability, security, and climate neutrality and hence it aligns with the requirements for the transition toward 2030 but also 2040 and 2050.”

ETN Global’s Scientific Officer, Giuseppe Tilocca, talks about the association’s recent report on decentralized energy systems—their advantages and challenges, trends, and where and how gas turbines fit in.  

TurboTime Podcast: Decentralized Energy Systems with ETN Global 

In this episode of the TurboTime Podcast, the Myth Busters discusses the role of turbomachinery in energy transport and storage, including how gas turbines maximize energy density. They dive into various forms of energy storage—including batteries, hydrogen, and mechanical and thermal energy—for various energy sources such as wind, solar, fossil fuels, etc., and more.

During the energy transport and conversion processes, for example in the case of hydrogen, there are significant energy losses. The lowest losses are with coal, then oil and fossil fuels. As a result of these losses, “Hydrogen is a viable solution for storage, but it’s not a great solution to power a large-scale electric power plant by itself,” Kurz said.

Really, energy comes down to sustainability, affordability, and sustainability of supply – and in this equation, renewables are typically intermittent and not a reliable full-time source of energy.

So where does turbomachinery fit into all of this?

“From a turbomachinery perspective, if you exclude electric—because as Rainer said, it's not always applicable, as you can’t transport energy from Venezuela to Florida along an electric line—then you have to convert your energy stored material, be it natural gas, oil, coal, or from an alternative source then you have to convert it into hydrogen or ammonia or something else, and then transport it,” Brun explained. “All these convergent processes utilize turbomachinery. We have maybe 100 years of experience transporting oil in pipelines and ships and trucks and that involves a lot of pumping—we're very good at pumping – it’s very efficient. We also have about a similar amount of time compressing natural gas, which over the last 40 - 50 years we've used a lot more centrifugal compressors for transporting natural gas. Now we're running into the challenge of sustainable alternative energies where basically you're saying, ‘OK, I'm going to take my wind and solar electric and convert them to let's say hydrogen or ammonia or dimethyl ether or methanol—there are a lot of fluids that you can make from electricity that are energy carriers—but then they have to be transported. Hydrogen is the lightest gas (We had a previous podcast where we talked about the challenges of 

). Similarly, ammonia is a liquid that has to be transported at slightly refrigerated temperatures, and it brings its own challenges because it's highly poisonous and very corrosive to a lot of materials. Dimethyl ether is not that hard to transport—it’s similar to diesel—but it's very expensive to make. Methanol is also highly poisonous. So there are a lot of other challenges that you now face with these energy carriers that you worry about when transporting your original form of energy to the end user.”

Klaus Brun and Rainer Kurz dial into energy storage and transport—why they are necessary, how turbomachinery fits into these processes, and more. 

TurboTime Podcast: Energy Transport and Storage with the Myth Busters 

In this episode of the TurboTime podcast, we are featuring part of an interview with Dr. Jeffrey Goldmeer, the Global Hydrogen Value Chain Leader at GE Vernova, recorded at POWERGEN 2024 with our assistant editor, James Cook. Dr. Goldmeer discusses the many pathways to decarbonization, including next-generation combustors that support hydrogen and ammonia.

Below is a quick snippet of the interview with GE Vernova's global hydrogen leader:

 In the United States, in the South and Southwest, there are only approximately 1,600 miles of hydrogen-ready pipeline. Why is there a lack of hydrogen infrastructure in the United States, and are there roadblocks for hydrogen development in other areas of the country?

 When you say lack of infrastructure, if you're here in the Gulf Coast, where most hydrogen in the United States is consumed and produced, I don't think they would tell you they have an infrastructure issue. What we're talking about is a future where we might see the production and use of hydrogen more decentralized, across the United States. So that might imply maybe there's a lack of infrastructure in those places, but those places today don't have large-scale hydrogen production and consumption, So, I don't think it's a lack of infrastructure; I think that we haven't developed the hydrogen ecosystem in those locations. Now that's not to say that hydrogen isn't produced locally and used locally around the world, even in the United States—I think about companies that are producing hydrogen to use in fuel cells and forklifts. but they're producing it and transporting it by truck because they don’t have the volume of needing a pipeline.”

 featuring more content from our interview with Dr. Goldmeer.

This episode of the TurboTime podcast features an interview with Dr. Jeffrey Goldmeer, the Global Hydrogen Value Chain Leader at GE Vernova. 

TurboTime Podcast: Hydrogen, Ammonia, Decarbonization with GE Vernova

In Part 2 of this episode of the TurboTime podcast on pumping/compressing CO

, Myth Busters Klaus Brun and Rainer Kurz discuss the impact CO

has on centrifugal compressor performance and carbon sequestration.

The duo talks about how the pressure of CO

 in a pipeline, for example, affects centrifugal compressor performance. They also discuss carbon sequestration challenges and how the industry is optimizing these technologies for emissions control, specifically in terms of gas leakage and losses.

In Part 2 of this episode of the TurboTime podcast, Myth Busters Klaus Brun and Rainer Kurz discuss the impact CO2 has on centrifugal compressor performance and carbon sequestration.

TurboTime Podcast: Part 2 - Compressing CO2

In Part 1 of this episode of the TurboTime podcast, Myth Busters Klaus Brun and Rainer Kurz discuss pumping/compressing CO

can be captured pre-combustion or post-combustion (from the flue gas), and it then must be transported in a pipeline in which it would have to be re-pump or compressed, and then put into the ground at a geological site. The Myth Busters flesh out this process and explain in detail the process of pumping/compressing CO

 and how it plays into the hydrogen discussion. They also discuss why is it so important to know about the supercritical state of CO

In Part 1 of this episode of the TurboTime podcast, Myth Busters Klaus Brun and Rainer Kurz discuss pumping/compressing CO2. 

TurboTime Podcast: Part 1 - Compressing CO2

In part 2 of the TurboTime podcast on hydrogen, Myth Busters Rainer Kurz and Klaus Brun talk about the compression and transportation of hydrogen and the challenges each presents for mainstream usage. The duo also discusses a realistic timeframe for mainstream prominence, including use in fertilizers and for refineries and power generation.

For more on hydrogen, check out our feature from the July/Aug print issue, 

The Future of Hydrogen as a Gas Turbine Fuel.

In part 2 of the TurboTime podcast on hydrogen, Myth Busters Rainer Kurz and Klaus Brun talk about the compression and transportation of hydrogen and the challenges each presents for mainstream usage. 

TurboTime: Part 2 - Compression, Transport of Hydrogen

In addition to integrating the eVinci microreactor in modular nuclear plants, Westinghouse and CORE POWER will develop a regulatory pathway to license its floating nuclear power plant design. 

CORE POWER, Westinghouse Develops Microreactor-Equipped Floating Nuclear Plants

The planned 515-MW power plant project will increase Ghana’s thermal generation capacity by over 7%.

Ghana Commissions Bridge Power Project Using GE Vernova’s Trailer-Mounted Turbines

The production unit generates hydrogen using recycled biogenic by-products, which is then fed back into TotalEnergies’ biorefinery to produce biofuels and sustainable aviation fuels.

Air Liquide’s Hydrogen Production Unit Fuels La Mède Biorefinery

The November/December 2024 issue highlights emerging decarbonization efforts that integrate hydrogen, ammonia, and new technologies into increasingly intermittent grids.

Turbomachinery International: November/December 2024

The electrolyzer will be built at Uniper’s former coal-fired power plant with an ammonia import terminal planned near the first LNG terminal in North Wilhelmshaven.

Electric Hydrogen Designs Electrolyzer Plant for Green Wilhelmshaven Project

Turbomachinery International spoke to Klaus Brun, Ph.D., the Director of Research and Development at Ebara Elliott, at Turbomachinery & Pump Symposia (TPS) 2024 in Houston. He shared insight into Elliott Group’s rebranding under Ebara Corp. and how the new entity will tackle industry challenges with an upcoming portfolio of sustainability-focused products.

“Elliott, like any other company in our industry, must follow what our customers do and what our market does. We’ve seen a significant transition in the energy industry over the last 10-15 years. We’ve seen more sustainability and more green energy, and so our products need to change with that market. That doesn’t mean we’re neglecting our current customers or the industry we’ve been serving for over 100 years, but we do have to address the changes we see in the energy industry. Our new name is Ebara Elliott Energy Co., with a specific focus on the energy market and not just on products.”

TURBO: What are the biggest challenges facing the industry?

“Everybody’s talking about decarbonization of the industry, so we’re looking at hydrogen and CO

. These are very new products that need to be developed—they currently don’t exist or are not as optimal as they should be. To meet these drastic market changes, we must develop new products and it’s not just the products, but the entire organization. As our customers change toward decarbonization and sustainability, we must change with them.”

Dr. Klaus Brun of Ebara Elliott addresses the company’s rebranding, prominent industry challenges, and upcoming products for sustainability and green energy at TPS 2024. 

Ebara Elliott Discusses Rebrand, Upcoming Projects for Industry Challenges

At TPS 2024, Klaus Brun of Ebara Elliott addresses the company’s rebranding, prominent industry challenges, and upcoming products for sustainability and green energy. 

Conference Coverage

Ebara Elliott Discusses Rebrand, Upcoming Products for Industry Challenges

Turbomachinery International interviewed Tim Allison, Ph.D., the Director of the Machinery Department at Southwest Research Institute (SWRI), at Turbomachinery & Pump Symposia (TPS) 2024 Houston. The director shared what new research projects SWRI is working on and what turbomachinery advancements the institute is most excited about regarding decarbonization.

TURBO: What new research projects is SWRI working on?

 “We have several pretty exciting research projects,” Allison said. “Standing next to this turbine highlights one of our projects in supercritical CO

 turbine that was developed with GE Vernova. We are running the Gen. 2 turbine at the STEP sCO

 Demo Pilot Plant. We've run it this year a couple of times with the completion scheduled for this fall.”

TURBO: In terms of decarbonization, what turbomachinery advancements is SWRI excited about?

 “I’m excited about a couple of other projects that we have. One is using turbomachinery to decarbonize ethylene cracking—we have a project for the DOE with Siemens Energy to prove out a rotating olefin cracker, or a turbo cracker, product they're commercializing. We’ll do a full-scale test of that product. We also have some projects on thermal energy storage for long-duration energy storage for the grid. But I am really excited about the trends that couple thermal storage to turbomachinery systems—think a gas turbine that's fed with thermal storage or integrates the thermal storage for another process.”

At TPS 2024, Tim Allison, Ph. D. from the Southwest Research Institute (SWRI), shares what’s happening at SWRI. 

SWRI Shares Research Projects, Turbo Trends

At TPS 2024, Tim Allison, Ph.D., from the Southwest Research Institute (SWRI) shares what’s happening at SWRI. 

SWRI Shares Research Projects, Gas Turbine Decarbonization Advancements 

At Turbomachinery & Pump Symposia (TPS) 2024, Tim Allison, Ph.D., the Director of the Machinery Department at Southwest Research Institute (SWRI), shares what he's most excited about at this year's show and provides insights into the turbomachinery trends is seeing.

Allison said: “We see a lot of trends focusing on the decarbonization of turbomachinery that includes gas turbine—actually gas turbines are growing in the power-generation mix. They are a very good bridge technology, but with the growth of gas turbines, there's a lot of talk about how to decarbonize them through hydrogen or carbon capture, and that includes discussions of retrofit or load-following behaviors. We see a lot on the compressor side about the transport of hydrogen or CO

Tim Allison, Ph.D., Director of the Machinery Department at Southwest Research Institute, shares what he's most excited about at TPS 2024 and provides insights into turbomachinery trends.

SWRI at TPS 2024

Tim Allison, Ph.D., Director of the Machinery Department at Southwest Research Institute, shares what he's most excited about at TPS 2024 and provides insights into turbomachinery trends. 

SWRI Talks Turbo Trends, TPS 2024

 interviewed GE Vernova's VP of Engineering Gas Power, John Intile, and VP of Global Supply Chain, Shane Long, during our tour of its facility in South Carolina. In Part 2 of this two-part interview, the two talk about GE Vernova’s spin off from GE.

In Part 2 of this two-part interview, they talk about GE Vernova’s spin off from GE. 

GE Vernova VPs Excited About Spin-Off, Tackling Climate Change

Q: After 130 years, GE spun off GE Vernova. What are your teams most excited about for its power segment?

 “My team is the same as the entire organization. We're excited about being part of a purpose-built company that is made up of 12 businesses operating as one and is focused on electrifying the world while decarbonizing it. We are uniquely positioned with those 12 businesses to cover a range of product portfolios, including power generation but also transmitting that power through the grid and optimizing that power as it flows through that grid. No other company can say, from front to back, that they're better equipped to face the challenge of the energy dilemma and decarbonize while we electrify.”

“It gets me up in the morning, just thinking about solving one of the world's greatest challenges, climate change, and working on great technologies, such as hydrogen combustion, carbon capture and storage, and direct air capture. That's what gets me up in the morning—that’s what gets my team up in the morning. We are going to be able to solve these problems, and we think of this as a great opportunity and a great responsibility.”

In Part 2 of our interview with GE Vernova's John Intile and Shane Long, the two VPs share what their teams are most excited about in light of GE Vernova’s recent spin-off. 

While touring GE Vernova’s gas turbine manufacturing facility in Greenville, South Carolina, 

 interviewed GE Vernova's VP of Engineering Gas Power, John Intile, and Shane Long, VP of Global Supply Chain. In Part 1 of this two-part interview, the duo discusses some of the top challenges of the energy transition.

In Part 1 of this two-part interview, the duo discusses some of the top challenges of the energy transition.  

GE Vernova's VP Talk Challenges with Energy Transition 

Long said: “First, let's describe the problem: We have to simultaneously electrify the world while decarbonizing it. The IEA estimates by 2040 we'll need 55% more electricity than we did in 2022. No notable goals have net-zero-carbon emissions by 2040 or 2050. So, one thing that's top of mind for challenges is just basic uncertainty—uncertainty in global policies with respect to carbon emissions; uncertainty in geopolitical tensions that exist in the world; and then uncertainty with how we can pay for this and economic policies that are needed to solve these challenges.”

Intile said: “After retiring most of the uncertainty, you start to put the plans into motion. When you think about the scale and capacity required to grow at the need of meeting the demands for what we see in 2040—project permitting, site readiness, etc.—everything it takes to get power generation up and running - it's no small feat. And that power generation is going to feed into a grid that, quite honestly, has a lot of questions about its stability. So, how do we think about challenges such as grid forming and how these electrons move from the source of generation to consumption—that's going to be a challenge that was not there in the past decade. With more renewable penetration—meaning that the power can fluctuate when the sun is not shining, when the wind is not blowing—we have to account for that, so do we have the right amount of inertia on the grid to account for that?”

In Part 1 of this two-part video interview, GE Vernova's VP of Engineering Gas Power, John Intile, and Shane Long, VP of Global Supply Chain, discuss some of the top challenges of the energy transition. 

GE Vernova VPs Discuss Challenges of the Energy Transition

interviewed Rich Voorberg, President of Siemens Energy North America, at POWERGEN 2024. Voorberg spoke about trends and hot topics in the industry.

Turbomachinery International interviewed Rich Voorberg, President of Siemens Energy North America, at POWERGEN 2024. 

Video: Siemens Energy Talks Trends, Hot Topics at POWERGEN 2024

What trends and hot topics are you addressing at POWERGEN 2024?

"Siemens Energy is all about the energy transition, so everything we try to do focuses on the energy transition. That means making sure we have reliable power today and one of our focuses is taking care of today. It’s also about taking care of tomorrow, and what that means is taking care of things like hydrogen, renewables, our wind turbine portfolio, but also putting it all together. On a digital side, we make sure things are working together. Each individual power plant, no matter new technology or old, are working together in an efficient manner. We do that through our AI, as well as our digital products."

Turbomachinery International interviewed Rich Voorberg, President of Siemens Energy North America, at POWERGEN 2024.  

 spoke with Dr. Nate Weiland, senior fellow at NETL, at Turbo Expo 2023 about the lab's work on the hydrogen value chain, including hydrogen blending, storage, hydrogen carriers such as ammonia, and more. He also spoke about NETL's function at Tubo Expo.

At Turbo Expo 2023, Turbomachinery International spoke with Dr. Nate Weiland, senior fellow at NETL, about its function at Tubo Expo and what's new at NETL. 

Hydrogen

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