(Florence, Italy) – The Korean Hanwha Group, together with the US energy technology company Baker Hughes Company, plans to produce and market a low-carbon ammonia gas turbine for marine applications. Hanwha Power Systems Americas Inc. and Hanwha Ocean Co. Ltd. signed a corresponding cooperation agreement with Baker at its annual meeting in Florence, Italy.
Baker Hughes, based in Houston, Texas, provides technology and services to the gas and oil industries. © Baker Hughes Co.
Hanwha plans to complete development by 2028. The turbine is based on the combustion system newly developed by Baker Hughes based on technology from Power Systems MFG LLC (PSM), a US-based Hanwha subsidiary. The gas turbine will run 100 percent on ammonia, but can also operate with a mixture of natural gas and ammonia in dual-fuel operation.
Hanwha Ocean showed designs for liquid hydrogen tankers (left) and ammonia-powered ships at Gastech 2024 in Houston, Texas. © Hanwha
In September 2023, Hanwha Power Systems and Hanwha Ocean received approval in principle (AIP) from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) to use such turbines on LNG and container ships. In the same month, the company announced at Gastech 2023 in Singapore that it would invest around $450 million in the development of environmentally friendly ship propulsion systems such as ammonia, methanol and hydrogen.
PSM has already completed an initial test campaign for high-pressure ammonia combustion, and Baker Hughes completed the first feasibility studies in 2024. In addition, Hanwha Power Systems said it signed a letter of intent with Greek liquefied natural gas shipping company Gaslog Ltd. in September last year to convert its propulsion system to an ammonia gas turbine system.
Investment in Amogy drive
In January of this year, Hanwha Investment & Securities became one of Amogy Inc.'s first investors. The US company had sent the ammonia-powered tugboat "NH3 Kraken" on its maiden voyage near New York in September 2024.
Photo above
Hanwha plans to work with Baker Hughes to develop and market a low-carbon ammonia gas turbine for maritime transport. © Hanwha Power Systems
