RWE and Kawasaki Test Europe’s Largest Hydrogen Turbine

RWE AG and Kawasaki Heavy Industries have initiated test operations for a 34-megawatt turbine designed to generate electricity using hydrogen in Lingen, Germany. This marks a significant step forward in decarbonizing power generation, as the turbine is the largest of its kind currently operating in Europe. The new facility is capable of delivering up to ten times the power output of previous hydrogen-fueled plants.

Crucially, the turbine’s flexibility—it can operate on 100% hydrogen, natural gas, or any combination thereof—is intended to secure electricity generation as the proportion of green hydrogen, derived from wind and solar energy, increases. This addresses a key challenge with intermittent renewable sources: ensuring grid stability during periods of low wind or sunlight. The companies plan to spend the coming months testing the combustion of up to 100% hydrogen at an industrial scale, evaluating various operating modes and load conditions expected in a future energy system powered by renewables.

The project underscores a broader strategic shift, with Japan viewing hydrogen as vital not only for reducing reliance on fossil fuels but also for fostering new industries and economic growth. As the Japanese ambassador to Germany, Mitsuko Shino, stated, hydrogen is viewed as a key component of Japan’s future economic competitiveness. The facility in Lingen utilizes green hydrogen produced using wind energy from the North Sea, a process that releases no CO2, thereby meeting EU requirements for renewable fuels of non-biological origin, allowing purchasers to claim carbon savings.

The Lingen facility is poised to produce 300 megawatts of capacity starting next year, solidifying its position as a significant energy hub in Germany. The successful execution of this project will be a critical test of hydrogen's viability as a large-scale energy source, and the results of the ongoing tests will determine the pace at which hydrogen can contribute to decarbonizing the power sector.