Baker Hughes and Hanwha Announce Partnership to Develop Small-Size Ammonia Turbines
Baker Hughes (NASDAQ: BKR) has partnered with Hanwha Power Systems and Hanwha Ocean through a Joint Development and Collaboration Agreement (JDCA) to develop small-size turbines for ammonia applications. The partnership combines Baker Hughes' gas turbine technology with Hanwha's ammonia combustion system.
The new ammonia turbine (~16MW power range) will be suitable for marine, onshore, and offshore applications, including electric generation and mechanical drive. Hanwha Ocean will be the primary beneficiary, implementing the solution in future vessels. Hanwha has successfully tested a proof-of-concept combustor using 100% ammonia fuel, while Baker Hughes completed initial turbine feasibility studies in 2024.
The companies aim to complete full engine testing with ammonia by end-2027, after which the turbine will be commercially available. This development follows Baker Hughes' January 2024 announcement of successful testing of the world's first 100% hydrogen turbine.
Baker Hughes (NASDAQ: BKR) ha stretto una partnership con Hanwha Power Systems e Hanwha Ocean tramite un Accordo di Sviluppo e Collaborazione (JDCA) per sviluppare turbine di piccole dimensioni per applicazioni a base di ammoniaca. La partnership combina la tecnologia delle turbine a gas di Baker Hughes con il sistema di combustione dell'ammoniaca di Hanwha.
La nuova turbina a ammoniaca (con una potenza di circa 16MW) sarà adatta per applicazioni marine, onshore e offshore, incluse la generazione di elettricità e la trasmissione meccanica. Hanwha Ocean sarà il principale beneficiario, implementando la soluzione su futuri vascelli. Hanwha ha testato con successo un combustore di prova utilizzando carburante al 100% di ammoniaca, mentre Baker Hughes ha completato studi di fattibilità iniziali sulla turbina nel 2024.
Le aziende mirano a completare i test del motore completo con ammoniaca entro la fine del 2027, dopo di che la turbina sarà disponibile commercialmente. Questo sviluppo segue l'annuncio di gennaio 2024 di Baker Hughes riguardo ai test riusciti della prima turbina al mondo a idrogeno al 100%.
Baker Hughes (NASDAQ: BKR) se ha asociado con Hanwha Power Systems y Hanwha Ocean a través de un Acuerdo de Desarrollo y Colaboración (JDCA) para desarrollar turbinas de pequeño tamaño para aplicaciones de amoníaco. La colaboración combina la tecnología de turbinas a gas de Baker Hughes con el sistema de combustión de amoníaco de Hanwha.
La nueva turbina de amoníaco (rango de potencia de ~16MW) será adecuada para aplicaciones marinas, terrestres y en alta mar, incluyendo generación eléctrica y transmisión mecánica. Hanwha Ocean será el principal beneficiario, implementando la solución en futuros buques. Hanwha ha probado con éxito un combustor de prueba utilizando combustible 100% amoníaco, mientras que Baker Hughes completó estudios iniciales de viabilidad de la turbina en 2024.
Las empresas tienen como objetivo completar las pruebas completas del motor con amoníaco para finales de 2027, después de lo cual la turbina estará disponible comercialmente. Este desarrollo sigue al anuncio de Baker Hughes en enero de 2024 sobre las pruebas exitosas de la primera turbina del mundo de hidrógeno al 100%.
베이커 휴즈 (NASDAQ: BKR)는 암모니아 응용 분야를 위한 소형 터빈 개발을 목적으로 한 공동 개발 및 협력 협약(JDCA)을 통해 한화 파워 시스템과 한화 오션과 파트너십을 체결했습니다. 이 파트너십은 베이커 휴즈의 가스 터빈 기술과 한화의 암모니아 연소 시스템을 결합합니다.
새로운 암모니아 터빈(~16MW 출력 범위)은 해양, 육상 및 해상 응용 분야에 적합하며, 전기 생성 및 기계 구동을 포함합니다. 한화 오션이 주요 수혜자가 되어 미래의 선박에 솔루션을 적용할 것입니다. 한화는 100% 암모니아 연료를 사용한 개념 증명 연소 장치를 성공적으로 테스트했으며, 베이커 휴즈는 2024년 터빈의 초기 타당성 연구를 완료했습니다.
양사는 2027년 말까지 암모니아로 전체 엔진 테스트를 완료할 계획이며, 이후에는 터빈이 상업적으로 제공될 것입니다. 이 개발은 베이커 휴즈가 2024년 1월에 세계 최초의 100% 수소 터빈의 성공적인 테스트를 발표한 이후 이루어졌습니다.
Baker Hughes (NASDAQ: BKR) a établi un partenariat avec Hanwha Power Systems et Hanwha Ocean dans le cadre d'un Accord de Développement et de Collaboration (JDCA) pour développer des turbines de petite taille pour des applications à base d'ammoniac. Ce partenariat combine la technologie des turbines à gaz de Baker Hughes et le système de combustion de l'ammoniac de Hanwha.
La nouvelle turbine à ammoniac (d'une puissance d'environ 16MW) sera adaptée aux applications maritimes, terrestres et offshore, y compris la production d'électricité et l'entraînement mécanique. Hanwha Ocean sera le principal bénéficiaire, mettant en œuvre la solution sur les futurs navires. Hanwha a réussi à tester un brûleur de preuve de concept utilisant 100% de carburant ammoniac, tandis que Baker Hughes a achevé des études de faisabilité initiales sur la turbine en 2024.
Les entreprises visent à achever les tests complets du moteur avec de l'ammoniac d'ici fin 2027, après quoi la turbine sera disponible commercialement. Ce développement fait suite à l'annonce de Baker Hughes en janvier 2024 concernant la réussite des tests de la première turbine au monde fonctionnant à 100% à hydrogène.
Baker Hughes (NASDAQ: BKR) hat sich mit Hanwha Power Systems und Hanwha Ocean durch eine Gemeinsame Entwicklungs- und Kooperationsvereinbarung (JDCA) zusammengetan, um Turbinen in kleiner Größe für Ammoniak-Anwendungen zu entwickeln. Die Partnerschaft vereint die Gasturbinentechnologie von Baker Hughes mit dem Ammoniakverbrennungssystem von Hanwha.
Die neue Ammoniakturbine (~16MW Leistungsbereich) wird für marine, landgestützte und offshore-Anwendungen geeignet sein, einschließlich der Stromerzeugung und mechanischer Antriebe. Hanwha Ocean wird der Hauptnutznießer sein, indem die Lösung in zukünftigen Schiffen implementiert wird. Hanwha hat erfolgreich einen Konzeptnachweis-Brenner getestet, der 100% Ammoniakbrennstoff verwendet, während Baker Hughes 2024 erste Machbarkeitsstudien zur Turbine abgeschlossen hat.
Die Unternehmen zielen darauf ab, bis Ende 2027 vollständige Motorentests mit Ammoniak abzuschließen, nach denen die Turbine kommerziell verfügbar sein wird. Diese Entwicklung folgt der Ankündigung von Baker Hughes im Januar 2024 über die erfolgreiche Erprobung der weltweit ersten 100% Wasserstoffturbine.
- Partnership enables entry into growing ammonia-powered marine propulsion market
- Successful proof-of-concept testing completed for 100% ammonia combustor
- Clear commercialization timeline with full engine test completion by end-2027
- Secured initial customer (Hanwha Ocean) for implementation in future vessels
- Commercial revenue generation delayed until after 2027
- Significant R&D investment required through 2027 development period
Insights
The strategic partnership between Baker Hughes and Hanwha marks a pivotal advancement in maritime propulsion technology, positioning both companies to capture a significant share of the emerging green maritime market. The development of 16MW ammonia turbines addresses a critical gap in the industry's decarbonization toolkit, particularly for medium-sized vessels where alternative solutions like hydrogen fuel cells or battery systems face practical limitations.
The technology's dual-fuel capability with natural gas provides important operational flexibility during the transition period, reducing adoption risks for shipowners. This is especially relevant as ammonia bunkering infrastructure develops globally. The collaboration leverages complementary strengths: Baker Hughes' proven turbine expertise (demonstrated by their recent 100% hydrogen turbine achievement) and Hanwha's ammonia combustion technology and shipbuilding capabilities.
Market timing is strategic, aligning with:
- IMO's strengthened emissions regulations taking effect in 2026
- Growing pressure on shipping companies to adopt low-carbon solutions
- Expanding global ammonia production and distribution infrastructure
The 2027 commercialization target positions the technology to capture early-mover advantages in the maritime energy transition, potentially establishing industry standards for ammonia propulsion systems. This could create significant recurring revenue streams through both equipment sales and long-term service agreements.
- Agreement to focus on creation of
100% ammonia combustion dual fuel with natural gas small-size turbines - Ammonia is a low-carbon fuel that can play a critical role in decarbonizing hard-to-abate sector, including marine transportation
- Collaboration to deliver efficiency comparable to reciprocating engines while minimizing carbon emissions
FLORENCE, Italy, Feb. 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Baker Hughes (NASDAQ: BKR), an energy technology company, Hanwha Power Systems and Hanwha Ocean announced Monday a Joint Development and Collaboration Agreement (JDCA) for a new small-size turbine for ammonia applications that will leverage Baker Hughes’ small-size gas turbine technology and Hanwha’s ammonia combustion system. The agreement was signed during the Baker Hughes 2025 Annual Meeting in Florence. The new ammonia turbine will be suitable for marine applications but also for onshore and offshore applications, and for electric generation and mechanical drive.
Ammonia is a critical fuel in enabling the decarbonization of hard-to-abate sectors, including marine, oil and gas, and power. Hanwha Ocean, one of South Korea’s leading shipbuilders, will be the main beneficiary of the JDCA and will adopt the new solution as a propulsion system for their future vessels, thus enabling maritime decarbonization.
Hanwha already tested successfully a proof-of-concept of the combustor, with
“Decarbonizing hard-to-abate industries and transportation is one of the most pressing but high-potential opportunities of our time,” said Alessandro Bresciani, senior vice president of Climate Technology Solutions at Baker Hughes. “We believe fuel switching to ammonia will play a key role in achieving significant emissions reductions across these sectors, and to realize this ambition, the industry needs more partnerships such as this. Together, we will continue to lead by example and take energy forward.”
“We are very excited to be collaborating with Baker Hughes to deliver an innovative and efficient solution to enhance the adoption of ammonia as a fuel for the propulsion system for future vessels. This collaboration marks a significant turning point in accelerating the transition to low-carbon fuel propulsion in the global maritime industries,” said James Shon, senior executive vice president and head of Product Strategy and Technology at Hanwha Ocean.
“The transition to low carbon fuels is a mission for everyone in the marine sector. We aim to play a key role in the decarbonization of the sector, together with Baker Hughes, by supporting ammonia combustion and packaging systems,” said Nuno Kim, executive vice president and head of Hanwha Power Systems Ship Solution Division.
Baker Hughes is currently exploring how its small-size gas turbines can accelerate the transition from diesel motors to turbines powered by ammonia and hydrogen. In January 2024, the company announced the completion of the successful testing of the world’s first
About Baker Hughes
Baker Hughes (NASDAQ: BKR) is an energy technology company that provides solutions to energy and industrial customers worldwide. Built on a century of experience and conducting business in over 120 countries, our innovative technologies and services are taking energy forward – making it safer, cleaner and more efficient for people and the planet. Visit us at bakerhughes.com.
About Hanwha
Founded in 1952, Hanwha has grown quickly by anticipating and responding to changing business environments with a balanced business portfolio that includes energy & materials, aerospace, finance and retail & services. Our expertise and synergy in key areas have catapulted us into the seventh-largest business in South Korea and a Fortune Global 500 company. Hanwha continues to grow rapidly as we strive to pursue global leadership in all of our businesses. We are building a robust foundation for sustainable development and a brighter future for everyone. For more information, visit: www.hanwha.com
For more information, please contact:
Baker Hughes Media Relations
Chiara Toniato
+39 3463823419
chiara.toniato@bakerhughes.com
Hanwha Power Systems Media Relations
Sung Jae Park
+70 7147 4895
sungjae.park@hanwha.com
Baker Hughes Investor Relations
Chase Mulvehill
+1 346-297-2561
investor.relations@bakerhughes.com
FAQ
When will Baker Hughes (BKR) launch its ammonia-powered turbine commercially?
What is the power capacity of BKR's new ammonia turbine under development?
What markets will BKR's new ammonia turbine target?
Has BKR completed any testing of the ammonia turbine technology?
Who is the first customer for BKR's ammonia turbine technology?
