Duke Energy Florida has launched the DeBary Hydrogen Production Storage System in Volusia County, marking what it describes as the first demonstration project in the United States capable of producing, storing, and combusting up to 100% green hydrogen using an integrated system.
The new facility utilizes energy from Duke Energy Florida’s existing DeBary solar site to power two electrolyzer units. These units split water molecules into oxygen and hydrogen atoms. The oxygen is released into the atmosphere, while the hydrogen is stored in reinforced containers for later use.
When energy demand peaks, the stored green hydrogen is supplied to a combustion turbine that has been upgraded with GE Vernova technology. This turbine can operate on a blend of natural gas and hydrogen or run entirely on hydrogen.
According to Duke Energy Florida, this approach increases flexibility for its natural gas turbines and broadens its generation portfolio. The company says that having green hydrogen available on demand allows turbines to be activated regardless of time or weather conditions. This reliability supports greater integration of renewable sources like solar power while helping manage fuel costs for customers and meeting growing energy needs.
“Diverse generation is strong, reliable generation,” said Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president. “The DeBary hydrogen project underscores Duke Energy Florida’s deep understanding of that notion and our commitment to making strategic infrastructure investments that will allow us to continue providing value for our customers while meeting their rapidly increasing demand for energy.”
“The DeBary system allows for safe, reliable generation and storage of clean energy,” said Reggie Anderson, Duke Energy Florida vice president of regulated and renewable energy. “Duke Energy Florida is proud of this successful innovation and the lasting impact it will have on our industry, our company and, most importantly, our customers.”
Duke Energy Florida operates as a subsidiary of Duke Energy and manages 12,300 megawatts of capacity. It supplies electricity to about 2 million customers across a 13,000-square-mile area in Florida.
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), based in Charlotte, North Carolina, serves approximately 8.4 million electric utility customers across six states and owns nearly 54,800 megawatts of capacity nationwide. Its natural gas utilities serve about 1.7 million customers in five states.
The company continues its efforts toward an energy transition by investing in grid upgrades and cleaner forms of power generation such as renewables, nuclear energy, natural gas facilities, and storage systems.
More information can be found at duke-energy.com or through the company’s social media channels.
