Chinese engineers have successfully powered up the world’s first 30-megawatt-class gas turbine designed to run entirely on pure hydrogen, marking a historic leap for clean energy storage and generation. Dubbed “Jupiter I,” the turbine began stable operation this week, proving the feasibility of converting surplus renewable electricity into hydrogen and then back into substantial, on-demand power at utility scale.
The landmark demonstration project, led by Mingyang Hydrogen Gas Turbine Technology, integrates wind power, photovoltaic solar, and an electrolysis system to produce hydrogen from water. This setup tackles one of renewable energy’s biggest headaches: massive waste during low-demand periods. By using excess green power to make hydrogen and then burning that hydrogen in the turbine during peak hours, the system acts as a giant, clean battery. According to Wang Yongzhi, general manager of Mingyang Hydrogen Gas Turbine Technology, this process can slash carbon emissions by over 200,000 tonnes annually compared to a traditional thermal power plant of the same size.
The technical achievement of Jupiter I lies in its capacity and efficiency. Operating in a combined-cycle mode, the turbine can generate a formidable 48,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity per hour—enough to power the daily needs of approximately 5,500 households. This output validates hydrogen’s role not just as a fuel for industry or transport, but as a central player in grid-scale power generation. Wang stated that the project will help “smooth fluctuations in renewable energy output and improve grid regulation,” reported Mingyang Hydrogen.
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This breakthrough is a critical step in China’s broader energy transition strategy, which aims to build a future power system with hydrogen utilization at its core. The ability to store intermittent wind and solar energy as hydrogen and dispatch it reliably addresses the fundamental instability that has hampered wider renewable adoption. The 30 MW scale of Jupiter I moves the technology from small-scale experiments into the realm of meaningful, grid-supporting infrastructure.
The successful operation of the world’s first 30MW-class pure hydrogen gas turbine positions China at the forefront of a key decarbonization technology. As nations worldwide seek ways to phase out fossil fuels without compromising grid stability, the Jupiter I project provides a tangible model. It demonstrates a complete, circular pathway for green energy: from sun and wind to hydrogen and back to electricity, offering a viable, large-scale solution for a sustainable and resilient power grid.
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