National Grid Ventures to test pioneering hydrogen-fueled linear generator

National Grid Ventures (NGV) has announced plans to instal what it's calling the world's first commercially-deployed, 100% hydrogen-fueled linear generator at the Northport Power Plant in New York, US.

According to National Grid, the linear generator produces power through a low-temperature, flameless chemical reaction and can be used during periods of peak demand.

For the 12-month testing period, it will run on 100% green hydrogen, while undergoing rigorous testing.

The plant will utilitse Mainspring’s linear generators, which are fuel-flexible, meaning they can change fuel sources in real time while in operation. Fuel sources include hydrogen, biogas, natural gas, or any blends of these. Further, the products do not require high purity hydrogen. This fuel-flexibility ensures that the linear generator capacity can stay online when needed most.

The linear generator is expected to be operational by September 2026.

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Will Hazelip, president of National Grid Ventures, US, commented in a statement: “This hydrogen-fueled, commercial linear generator is the world’s first and an important step in developing the energy resources of tomorrow

“This innovative technology is useful in National Grid’s work to meet the rapidly rising demand for energy across the region. It has the ability to change fuels as market conditions change to avoid burdening customers with unnecessary costs. Keeping the grid reliable and resilient requires a broad range of energy sources, and this linear generator pilot at National Grid’s Northport plant will add yet another flexible tool to protect against loss of generation capacity at critical times,” concluded Hazelip.

The project is supported by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA), Stony Brook University and Mainspring Energy. Funding is also being provided directly by NGV.

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority president and CEO Doreen M. Harris saidS: “NYSERDA is proud to support National Grid Ventures’ hydrogen-fueled commercial linear generator, which represents a pivotal frontier in building a resilient electricity grid to power Long Island homes and businesses. This first-of-its-kind project will demonstrate how clean hydrogen can serve as a dispatchable resource to help maintain grid reliability while supporting an affordable energy transition.”

The programme will prove the linear generator’s viability as a Dispatchable Emission-Free Resource (DEFR) for Long Island’s electrical grid that can be quickly brought online to supplement other generation sources during times of peak demand.

Once operation begins in 2026, it will undergo a thorough independent evaluation at the Advanced Energy Research and Technology Center (AERTC) at Stony Brook University.

The Department of Mechanical Engineering’s assistant professor Dimitris Assanis will lead the team that will design the framework and methodologies required to ensure the linear generator’s performance, emissions, efficiency, and noise levels are suitable for the needs of the local power grid both today and into the future.

“This project is significant on multiple fronts,” said Kevin Gardner, vice president for Research and Innovation at Stony Brook University. “...It offers hands-on, real-world experience to our students—the future leaders of the energy engineering field.”  

The project will create 35-50 local engineering and construction jobs and expand the skillsets of 30-40 members of National Grid Ventures’ existing workforce on Long Island.