Snam to develop H2 fuel cell for Italian airport
SUMMARY
Unit will use blend of hydrogen and natural gas to generate power, heat
By Dale LunanPOSTED IN:
Italian gas group Snam said December 29 it had agreed a €14mn (US$15.9mn) contract to build a hydrogen-ready fuel cell for Italy’s Torino airport.
The 1.2 MW fuel cell, which is expected to be installed in Q2 2023, is being developed by Snam’s hydrogen business unit and US-based FuelCell Energy. The first of its kind in Italy, it will use a blend of hydrogen and natural gas to generate electricity and heat.
“Hydrogen will play a key role in the pursuit of net zero emissions in many sectors, including airport and port infrastructure,” Snam CEO Marco Alvera said. “With this agreement, we are providing Torino Airport with an effective and innovative energy solution that will immediately reduce emissions and integrate increasing amounts of hydrogen to achieve carbon neutrality.”
The fuel cell system will be capable of generating 1.2 MWh of electricity and 840 KWh of heat and can be fueled by hydrogen mixed with up to 40% natural gas by volume. The Torino airport’s energy demand is estimated at about 17,000 MWh of electricity and 8,714 MWh of heat.
The system is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by 1,630 mt/year, with even greater reductions possible by using biomethane instead of natural gas.
