World-first: GE Vernova, IHI run gas turbine fully on 100% ammonia fuel

GE Vernova and Japan’s IHI Corporation have achieved a world-first by successfully testing 100% ammonia combustion in GE Vernova’s F-class gas turbines, marking a significant step toward decarbonizing the energy sector. The test, conducted at IHI’s Large-Scale Combustion Test facility in Japan, demonstrated that ammonia can power gas turbines without carbon emissions, addressing a major technical barrier to carbon-free dispatchable power. While specific emission and efficiency data were not disclosed, the results aligned with the companies’ internal roadmap, which aims for commercial availability of 100% ammonia-fired F-class turbines by 2030. Ammonia presents advantages over hydrogen as a carbon-free fuel, including easier storage at −33°C compared to hydrogen’s −253°C and the benefit of existing shipping infrastructure handling about 10% of annual ammonia production. However, challenges remain due to ammonia’s slower burn rate affecting ignition and stability, as well as safety concerns related to its toxicity. The collaboration between GE