The world’s most efficient engine becomes a clean generator

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the Wartsila 31 engine from the Finnish company Wartsila is the most efficient four-stroke marine engine of its type ever built. It also has the highest power per cylinder of any engine with the same cylinder bore. It can use 8 – 16 cylinders and give an output power of 4.6 – 10.4 MW at 720 – 750 rpm.

Wartsila is famous for producing the world’s largest internal combustion engines, notably the 27-meter-tall, 13-meter-long, 110,000-horsepower RTA96-C. The smaller Wartsila 31 is 4.7 meters tall, 8.7 meters long, and runs on fossil fuels. However, it can produce up to 13,142 horsepower or 9,800 kW.

Wartsila 31 is being converted into a generator in two versions, New Atlas reported on June 26. The 31SG-H2 version can run on natural gas or a mixture of natural gas and 25% hydrogen, or upgraded to run on 100% hydrogen. The 31H2 version is designed to run entirely on hydrogen, but can also accept natural gas and mixed fuels. Both promise to be the world’s largest hydrogen generators when presented if there is enough hydrogen to run them.

Wartsila’s hydrogen-powered power station is intended to support grids that use variable and intermittent renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. By using hydrogen, Wartsila can produce 100% carbon-free electricity.

“We have to accept the fact that natural gas will still be needed in the electricity system for many years to come. Our flexible fuel engines can use natural gas now to provide flexibility and balance, allowing renewables to grow. Then the engines can switch to hydrogen when hydrogen is available, ensuring a journey to net zero emissions in the future,” said Anders Lindberg, president of Wartsila.

Wartsila’s power station concept has received phase 1 certification from TÜV SUD, the organization for the protection of people and the environment, and needs two more certifications before construction can begin. Wartsila’s hydrogen engines are expected to be ready by 2026.