Sustainable Methanol for Aeroderivative Industrial Gas Turbines: Emissions Reductions and Performance Enhancements

Transitioning to net-zero necessitates innovative approaches to reduce emissions and enhance gas turbine performance. This paper reports three methanol demonstrations on Siemens Energy’s SGT-A05, SGT-A20, and SGT-A35 engines. Test objectives included quantifying emissions, power, and efficiency changes and proving fuel system and combustor upgrade methodologies. The SGT-A20 test validated the design methodologies and upgrades, including the increased fuel system capacity, methanol capable fire and gas detection systems, and modified fuel injectors. The SGT-A35 test scaled the approach to higher power output and turbine temperatures in the same facility, while additive manufacturing accelerated prototyping and final hardware delivery. The SGT-A05 ran in a production genset on 100% methanol (M100) and an 80% - 20% methanol-water blend (M80) which targeted further NOx reduction, proving methanol’s ability as a diesel alternative. Following minor control changes to address methanol’s low volumetric heating value, all engines executed starts, shutdowns, and fast transients fault-free. Results were consistent across tests: at constant power NOx reduced ~80% on M100 and ~90% on M80, and carbon dioxide was ~10% lower than kerosene baselines. These findings demonstrate methanol’s viability as a sustainable gas turbine fuel and provide actionable design, test, and operational guidance to accelerate deployment in support of the energy transition.