This proprietary innovation offers unparalleled flexibility and is poised to accelerate the energy transition for industrial users, enhancing power generation efficiency by over 5%.
The ORLEN Group has announced market introduction of its groundbreaking "Multifuel" technology, developed in partnership with Horus Energia. This innovative system marks a world-first in its commercial application, allowing for the dynamic and seamless generation of electricity and heat from hydrogen, natural gas, or any combination thereof, all within a fully automated process.
Multifuel represents a critical advancement in the adoption of alternative fuels within industrial settings, providing a tangible and flexible pathway for industries to significantly reduce their carbon footprint. Its design facilitates a gradual and stable energy transition, empowering business users with unprecedented flexibility in selecting their energy sources based on availability and goals.
Notably, the technology is compatible with both new and existing generation units. Early tests have demonstrated a remarkable increase in power generation efficiency by over 5% compared to standard gas engines without the Multifuel system. To safeguard this pioneering innovation, ORLEN and Horus Energia have jointly filed for patent protection with both the Polish Patent Office and the European Patent Office (EPO).
Tomasz Jarmicki, Head of ORLEN’s Gas Technology Development and Deployment Office, said, "With Multifuel, we have successfully developed, tested, and are now implementing and commercializing the world’s first system that enables energy production from clean-burning fuels such as natural gas and hydrogen – individually or in combination, depending on availability. Our innovation is a major step forward in the energy transition, bringing us closer to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. From the outset, we designed Multifuel for broad industrial application to help decarbonize the Polish economy."
The Multifuel system is designed as a unique overlay for large-capacity gas engines, ranging from 300 kWel to 2 MWel. Its potential is particularly significant in critical sectors such as power generation, fields of energy hubs and energy clusters. Furthermore, the technology is poised to serve as a vital stabilizing element for the Polish power grid. Beyond industrial applications, Multifuel can also be seamlessly integrated into electric vehicle charging stations and large-scale residential buildings, shopping centers, and public facilities where an uninterrupted power supply or robust backup generation is paramount.
What truly distinguishes Multifuel from other solutions on the market is its unparalleled ability to dynamically adjust fuel composition during operation. The system incorporates two independent fuel supply lines – one dedicated to hydrogen and the other to natural gas – both fully integrated with a sophisticated control and monitoring system. This intelligent design allows for real-time adjustment of gas ratios without any interruption to the unit’s operation or reduction in engine power, a functionality unmatched by any competing technology. Fuel dosing is automatically regulated, and its parameters can be modified within a single engine cycle, offering exceptional responsiveness and adaptability.
