GE and IHI Corporation (IHI), a heavy industry manufacturer in Japan, have signed an agreement to develop of gas turbine business roadmap (Ammonia Roadmap), to support the use of ammonia as a carbon-free fuel to lower carbon emissions in both existing and new gas turbines.

According to the memorandum of understanding (MOU), both companies will conduct advanced research on the marketplace volume of ammonia as well as feasibility studies for ammonia as feedstock for gas turbine power plant installations in Japan and across Asia.  

Ammonia is utilized today as a fertilizer, chemical raw material and used recently, as a fuel, effectively produced in industrial applications. In addition, when used as a carrier for hydrogen, ammonia enables an efficient, lower-cost transport and storage of a carbon-free fuel which can be used directly in natural gas power generation. Since ammonia contains no carbon, it does not emit carbon dioxide when burned and may therefore enhance the power sector’s efforts in reducing carbon emissions.

“GE is continuing to advance our gas power technologies towards near zero-carbon power generation and part of this evolution may involve the use of ammonia as a fuel in order to reduce CO2 emissions,” said Ramesh Singaram, President and CEO for GE Gas Power in Asia. “We look forward to the collaboration with IHI.  Together, we’ll define an ammonia gas turbine business roadmap supporting both companies’ goal of reducing carbon emissions from gas turbines power installations.”

“IHI is the leading company of ammonia co-firing technology on a gas-turbine with 70% of the liquid ammonia co-firing ratio. GE and IHI have a strong relationship through the gas turbine and aero engine business.  We are thrilled to collaborate with GE and, develop a new business opportunity,” said Koji Takeda Executive Officer President of Resources, Energy & Environment Business Area IHI. “Our combined strengths will empower us to explore the potential of ammonia-fired gas turbines to contribute to the Japanese government’s target of becoming carbon neutral by the year 2050.”