Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, ITB Extend R&D Partnership for Zero-Carbon Generation

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and Indonesia-based Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB) extended their research and development (R&D) partnership to develop clean fuel firing in gas turbines. The partnership will build on research conducted on ammonia-fired power generation using gas turbines, with the addition of further analyses and trials.

MHI and Mitsubishi Power plans to integrate the proven technologies from the R&D partnership in its H-25 gas turbines to facilitate ammonia co-firing in Indonesia. The partnership will develop equipment and test the combustion of ammonia fuel for power generation applications.

"There has been growing interest in ammonia, not just as an energy carrier but as a carbon-free fuel. Our proven track record with hydrogen and ammonia, and promising collaboration with ITB, has already demonstrated the potential feasibility of utilization of cleaner fuels in Indonesia,” said Masanori Yuri, Senior Manager, GTCC Business Division of Energy Systems, MHI. “I am excited at our continued partnership to produce research in firing technologies. Our combined technical and research expertise is sure to deliver results, accelerating Indonesia's energy transition."

The renewed R&D partnership comes as an addition to a signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) between MHI and ITB in 2020, in which the companies conducted research on clean energy solutions and analysis of power plant data. After the 2020 MoU, the partners extended the agreement for 5 years to focus on ammonia-fired power generation. Currently, the R&D partnership serves as a second-year study and an additional component of the 2022 extension.

“The shift towards cleaner energy sources plays a pivotal role in reducing carbon emissions, contributing to the mitigation of global warming and climate change,” said Prof. I Gede Wenten, ITB Vice Rector. “Our joint research initiative with MHI is centered on advancing cleaner fuel firing technologies in power generation, a broader embrace of which will decrease our dependence on fossil fuels. I am optimistic that our combined efforts will formulate successful solutions for ammonia in power generation, ultimately catalyzing long-term decarbonization in Indonesia."

MHI and ITB, in order to decarbonize Indonesia’s energy sector, have conducted joint feasibility studies on hydrogen, ammonia, air quality control systems (AQCS), and microgrid solutions. The companies have also delivered joint lectures to train engineers on big data analysis, biomass energy, hydrogen usage, and AQCS development.