ASME IGTI Industrial Gas Turbine Technology Award Lecture:
Driving Innovation and Gas Turbine Emissions Reduction
1:30pm – 3:30pm | Tuesday, June 17, 2025
Peter Stuttaford
CEO of Thomassen Energy
Abstract: Engineering innovation continues to be the basis for gas turbine solutions in the shifting energy generating landscape. A practical approach to gas turbine combustion innovation will be presented. Gas turbine combustion has been a strong area of innovation in the gas turbine industry with the development of low NOx emissions technology at ever increasing firing temperatures, and with an increasingly broad range of fuels. CO2 emissions are dominant when burning hydrocarbon fuels. Climate change continues to drive low carbon solutions using fuels such as hydrogen and ammonia. A reduced carbon footprint is also achieved with the efficient utilization of waste gas as an improved energy source without flaring it into the atmosphere with little or no energy capture. Renewable energy has become the new baseload capacity in many regions of the World resulting in rapid fluctuations in the source of power generation as environmental conditions such as wind and solar vary. Gas turbine operating profiles have shifted dramatically to balance the power grid, presenting new challenges for reliable, available and flexible gas turbine power generation. Solutions for operational and fuel flexibility will be presented based on the development of innovative gas turbine combustion technology.
Biography: Peter has served as the CEO of Thomassen Energy, in the Netherlands, since 2018, bringing over 25 years of experience in the design, development and commercialization of gas turbines. Thomassen Energy has a focus on providing clean and affordable energy to all parts of the globe through the upgrade and retrofit of existing gas turbine assets. Peter is recognized as a leading expert in the field, with more than 55 patents related to gas turbines and energy innovation. Prior to his current role, he successfully led the PSM Product Engineering unit, in Florida USA, driving technological advancements and promoting cleaner energy solutions. Peter's professional journey began at Pratt & Whitney Canada as a combustion engineer. His academic credentials include a Ph.D. from Cranfield University in England, a Master's degree from the University of Florida in the USA, and a Bachelor's degree from the University of Natal in South Africa.
With a focus on innovation and sustainability, Peter continues to work on advancing technologies and adapting gas turbine systems for a clean and reliable future.