Duke Energy Florida Unveils Nation's First System Capable Of Producing, Storing And Combusting 100% Green Hydrogen

Duke Energy Florida, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, unveiled its DeBary Hydrogen Production Storage System in Volusia County, marking the first demonstration project in the United States capable of using an end-to-end system to produce, store and combust up to 100% green hydrogen.

The innovative DeBary Production Storage System will diversify and strengthen the company's generation fleet, creating value for customers and helping meet energy demand.

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This one-of-its-kind system begins with Duke Energy Florida’s existing DeBary solar site, which provides energy for two electrolyzer units that separate water molecules into oxygen and hydrogen atoms. The resulting oxygen is released into the atmosphere, while the green hydrogen is delivered to reinforced containers for safe storage.

During times when energy demand is highest, the system delivers the stored green hydrogen to an existing combustion turbine that has been upgraded using GE Vernova technology to run on a blend of natural gas and hydrogen or up to 100% hydrogen.

This process makes the natural gas turbines more flexible and diversifies Duke Energy Florida’s generation fleet to support the expansion of renewable energy. Because the green hydrogen is an on-demand source of energy, the turbines can be turned on and off at any time – it is not dependent on the time of day or the weather.

The site's reliability allows for more renewable, yet intermittent, energy sources – like solar – that displace the cost of fuel for customers while still meeting rising customer demand.

Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida State President, said the DeBary hydrogen project underscores the company’s deep understanding of diverse generation and its commitment to making strategic infrastructure investments that deliver value while meeting rapidly increasing demand for energy.

Reggie Anderson, Duke Energy Florida Vice President of Regulated and Renewable Energy, added that the system allows for safe, reliable generation and storage of clean energy, representing a lasting innovation for the company and the industry.

About Duke Energy Florida

Duke Energy Florida, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, owns 12,300 megawatts of energy capacity, supplying electricity to 2 million residential, commercial and industrial customers across a 13,000-square-mile service area in Florida.

About Duke Energy

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America's largest energy holding companies. The company's electric utilities serve 8.4 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 54,800 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas utilities serve 1.7 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. Duke Energy is executing an ambitious energy transition, keeping customer reliability and value at the forefront as it builds a smarter energy future. The company is investing in major electric grid upgrades and cleaner generation, including natural gas, nuclear, renewables and energy storage. More information is available at duke-energy.com.