First successful turbine operation with 100% green H2 at Smurfit-Westrock
The production of pulp and paper, as an energy-intensive industry, faces a significant challenge in the rapid transformation into a climate-neutral industry operation, which is also changing the landscape of energy generation. While the preferred method for electricity and heat generation in pulp and paper production is the high efficiency combined heat and power (CHP) process, the overall transformation increasingly emphasizes renewable, fluctuating energy sources such as solar and wind energy. However, in this context, heat generation is overlooked, which must be considered and integrated in the design for continuous and consistent paper production. One solution for gradually transitioning from fossil energy generation to climate-neutral energy generation is the path based on green hydrogen. Hydrogen can be produced from renewable energy sources and serves as a storage medium and green fuel for both carbon-free thermal and electrical energy generation.
This concept, towards a green hydrogen infrastructure, is globally supported and backed by significant investment programs. One significant initiative is the HYFLEXPOWER project funded by the EU. In this project, green hydrogen is produced from renewable energy, stored on-site, and converted into electricity and heat for the Smurfit Westrock paper mill in Saillat-sur-Vienne, France, using an SGT-400 gas turbine. This development towards a CHP plant that ultimately operates the gas turbine on 100% green hydrogen is presented at the IMPS 2025.