Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Engine & Turbocharger, Ltd. (MHIET), a division of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Group, has achieved a significant milestone in the development of hydrogen engine generator sets. The company has completed reliability verification and established operational capabilities for its 500kW-class hydrogen engine generator set, paving the way for commercialization.
The generator set, which operates using 100% hydrogen fuel, has been tested for over 100 hours at MHIET's Sagamihara Plant. The tests evaluated performance in various atmospheric conditions, focusing on electrical output, generation efficiency, and emissions performance. Strategies for managing abnormal combustion, a challenge due to hydrogen's combustible nature, were also developed.
The prototype generator set has demonstrated the ability to handle sudden power demand fluctuations, and measurements confirmed reliability in terms of engine vibration and combustion chamber temperature. The process of using green hydrogen produced in Yamanashi Prefecture for power generation was also successfully validated.
While the generator set has reached a level of technological maturity suitable for practical applications, long-term durability assessments are pending due to hydrogen supply constraints. Nevertheless, the technology readiness is considered commercially viable.
MHIET's hydrogen engine generator sets are expected to play a crucial role in the energy transition towards a carbon-free society. By using pure hydrogen as fuel, these generators emit no CO2 during combustion, significantly contributing to the decarbonization of distributed power systems.
The development cycle at the Sagamihara Plant integrates design, manufacturing, and testing, allowing for rapid incorporation of test findings into final products. MHIET aims to continue product development to facilitate the widespread use of hydrogen and advance toward a decarbonized society.
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