Ansaldo Energia drives energy transition with advanced power solutions

Advanced gas turbine technologies are accelerating the shift towards efficiency and flexibility.

The global shift towards sustainable energy, with the increasing penetration of renewables, presents significant challenges in reducing carbon emissions, managing electricity costs, and ensuring grid stability. As the demand for sustainable solutions grows, the power generation industry must adopt technologies that enhance efficiency and minimise environmental impact. 

As a global leader in power generation, Ansaldo Energia is addressing these challenges with its advanced solutions. The company delivered equipment for over 280 GW of installed power capacity and has developed more than 100 power plants as an EPC contractor. It designs and manufactures advanced gas turbines, steam turbines, and generators whilst offering upgrade solutions that enhance efficiency, operational flexibility, and green fuel capabilities.

Its subsidiaries further drive innovation. Ansaldo Nucleare focusses on the production of critical high-tech components, decommissioning and waste management. It is a trusted partner in new units, service and plant life extension, and is a key player in the development of Small Modular Reactors and Generation IV reactors. Ansaldo Green Tech has developed next-generation AEM electrolysers for decarbonised hydrogen production.

Fit for Transition

Positioning itself as Fit for Transition, Ansaldo Energia provides a product portfolio that supports more sustainable energy production.

Stefano Gianatti, Executive Vice President Thermal New Units at Ansaldo Energia
noted, "Shifting from coal to natural gas plays a crucial role in reducing CO₂ emissions, cutting them by 50% per kWh, and is a fundamental step in the global energy transition."
 

To maintain grid stability, the company's gas turbines deliver dispatchable and reliable power, balancing the electricity supply whilst being ready for transition towards burning hydrogen and low-carbon fuels for long-term sustainability. Beyond gas turbines, Ansaldo Energia's Synchronous Condensers enhance grid stability by delivering voltage regulation, reactive power, short circuit power, and inertia, mitigating the risk of blackouts.

Advancing hydrogen power

With hydrogen emerging as a crucial low-carbon energy source, Ansaldo Energia's fleet operates with 40% to 70% hydrogen blends, depending on the equipment, managing H2 supply fluctuations whilst meeting NOX emission requirements. Its fuel flexibility approach also includes green fuels such as Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO). "Our commitment is to achieve 100% hydrogen capability by 2030 across our entire fleet," said Gianatti.

Ansaldo Energia's hydrogen-ready turbines are already driving the transition to a more sustainable energy. The company’s world-class AE94.3A HVO turbine will power a 300 MW station in Tarbert, Ireland, using 100% biofuel. The Marbach power station in Germany, which is also equipped with an AE94.3A turbine, meanwhile became operational in October 2024.

"The AE94.3A gas turbine has an outstanding history in terms of operational flexibility, reliability, and cost-effectiveness, with 115 units installed worldwide and more than 5 million equivalent operating hours," Gianatti added.

GT36 gas turbine

With a power output exceeding 560 MW in simple cycle and over 800 MW in combined cycle, Ansaldo Energia’s flagship GT36 gas turbine meets the growing demand for dispatchable energy. Gianatti highlighted, “Our flagship is at the forefront of operational flexibility, with an astonishing ramp rate of 100 MW per minute and a Minimum Environmental Load (MEL) of 15% in simple cycle and 20% in combined cycle.”

The GT36 can operate with up to 70% hydrogen blended with natural gas, and its combustor was successfully tested with 100% hydrogen in early 2024. With five units in operation across multiple countries and over 40,000 equivalent operating hours, GT36 has proven itself as a reliable, efficient, and highly adaptable solution.

Enhancing flexibility and efficiency

Focussing on energy security and transition, Ansaldo Energia enhances operational and fuel flexibility to meet evolving industry demands. “Our gas turbines are built for agility, designed to respond swiftly to market demands with high ramp rates and impressively low minimum environmental loads. This means operators can keep their turbines running, ready to meet market needs, whilst significantly reducing fuel consumption and cutting operational costs during periods of lower demand, allowing our customers to maintain both profitability and sustainability,” Gianatti said.

“Hydrogen and biofuel capabilities are crucial to future-proof our customers assets,” he added.

The company’s digital solutions, including AI-driven monitoring and predictive maintenance, optimise performance whilst reducing costs. The Integrated Plant Support (IPS) platform, operating from Genoa and Abu Dhabi, enables 24/7 real-time data analysis and asset optimisation, extending equipment life. Ansaldo Energia solutions include upgrades that improve efficiency, reduce emissions, and extend operational life whilst increasing flexibility to accommodate green fuels. The recent MXL3 upgrade on a F-class GT26 at Flevo Maxima Centrale in the Netherlands improved efficiency by 3%, increased output by 37MW, and enabled 45% hydrogen co-firing. 

Gianatti emphasised the company’s commitment to supporting customers throughout the energy transition, stating, "Our priority is to secure our customers’ investments in facing the challenges and opportunities of the energy transition."

By integrating innovation with sustainability, Ansaldo Energia continues to be at the forefront of the global power generation industry evolution.