Ansaldo Energia Advances Fuel Flexibility Strategy With Hydrogen And Hvo Independent Certifications

Ansaldo Energia takes a further step in expanding the fuel flexibility of its gas turbine portfolio. 

Two recent independent validations have recognised the company's progress in the use of low -carbon fuels: TÜV SÜD has certified the GT36 Hydrogen Readiness, whilst DNV has successfully validated the operation of the AE94.3A combustion system on Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), a liquid fuel produced from biological Feedstocks.

The Hydrogen Readiness certification issued by TÜV SÜD confirms GT36's pathway toward operation with progressively higher hydrogen concentrations, representing a significant step in the turbine's roadmap toward 100% hydrogen capability. GT36 is currently offered with hydrogen capability of up to 70% by volume.

The second milestone concerns the AE94.3A gas turbine. During an independent witness testing campaign conducted by DNV at the Sesta Lab facility in Radicondoli, Italy, Ansaldo Energia successfully demonstrated the operation of its hybrid liquid -fuel combustion system on Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) under settings representative of actual gas turbine working conditions. The campaign confirmed combustion stability across the operating range, with no flashback events or test trips observed during full HVO operation.

The two recognitions mark important milestones in Ansaldo Energia's strategy to expand fuel flexibility across its gas turbine solutions, supporting customers as they navigate increasingly diverse fuel landscapes and evolving energy, environmental, and security-of-supply requirements.

“Fuel flexibility is one of the key strengths of Ansaldo Energia's gas turbine portfolio,” said Federico Bonzani, Chief Technology Officer of Ansaldo Energia. “Hydrogen and low-carbon fuels provide practical pathways to reduce CO2 emissions whilst maximising the value of existing assets and preserving the system stability services delivered by rotating equipment. The expertise we have developed can be applied both to new units and to the installed base through retrofit solutions. Combined with our upgrade packages and digital services, fuel flexibility is a key enabler for the progressive decarbonisation of power generation assets.”

The Ansaldo Energia Group, international leader in power generation and key player in the field of energy security and transition, is a company controlled by CDP Equity, Gruppo Cassa Depositi e Prestiti.

About GT36

GT36 is Ansaldo Energia's flagship H -Class heavy -duty gas turbine for utility-scale power generation. The operating fleet currently comprises five units in commercial operation and has accumulated more than 80,000 Equivalent Operating Hours (EOH). With an output of more than 560 MW in simple-cycle configuration and more than 800 MW in combined-cycle, GT36 delivers efficiency above 62%, ramp rates of up to 100 MW per minute and hydrogen capability of up to 70% by volume, combining operational flexibility, grid support and future-ready fuel flexibility in a single platform.

About AE94.3A

With more than 140 units sold worldwide and over 5 million Equivalent Operating Hours (EOH), Ansaldo Energia’s AE94.3A gas turbine has built a strong operating track record across a wide range of power generation applications. Capable of delivering up to 340 MW in simple cycle and up to 495 MW in combined cycle, AE94.3A is designed for applications requiring rapid start-up and fast load response, supporting grid stability and security of supply. The recently completed DNV witness campaign validated the capability of its hybrid combustion system to operate on Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO). AE94.3’s advanced single liquid fuel combustor enables low NOx emissions without the need for a Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system, contributing to efficient operation and a simplified plant configuration.