ORLEN Launches Multifuel Technology: A Breakthrough in Flexible, Low-Emission Power Generation

Developed in partnership with Horus Energia, Multifuel represents a significant advancement in the deployment of alternative fuels across industrial sectors. The system supports a gradual and economically viable energy transition, giving operators full flexibility in fuel selection based on availability and cost, while contributing to the decarbonization of power generation.

- We are turning innovation into commercial reality. Multifuel is a globally unique system that allows power production from low- and zero-emission fuels like hydrogen and natural gas. This is a major step in our journey towards net-zero by 2050, said Tomasz Jarmicki, director of ORLEN’s Office for Gas Technology Development and Implementation. - The technology was developed with industry-wide applicability in mind – to support the decarbonization of the Polish and wider European economy.

The Multifuel system is a proprietary upgrade for large gas engines ranging from 300 kWel to 2 MWel. It is applicable in a variety of industrial settings, including distributed energy systems, energy clusters, backup power for mission-critical infrastructure, and can even support the stabilization of national energy grids. Importantly for the maritime and port sectors, the technology provides a flexible, secure power supply for shipyards, terminals, and onshore power systems, as well as energy hubs supporting vessel charging or hydrogen refueling.

Multifuel delivers gases to the engine through two independent, integrated control systems. This architecture enables seamless and real-time adjustment of fuel mix proportions during engine operation – something not currently offered by any other solution on the market. Fuel dosing is controlled automatically, without the need to reduce engine output, and changes to fuel parameters can occur within a single engine cycle.

Operational testing of the prototype unit confirmed the technology’s efficiency and safety. Using over half a ton of hydrogen in various mixtures with natural gas, the system achieved over a 5% increase in electrical efficiency compared to baseline factory specifications. Tests also confirmed the safe and stable performance of hydrogen-natural gas blends in combustion processes.

Under the agreement between ORLEN and Horus Energia, commercial units equipped with Multifuel technology are now available for new and retrofit installations across the distributed energy sector. This paves the way for practical decarbonization of legacy systems by gradually switching to cleaner gaseous fuels.

ORLEN has filed for patent protection of the Multifuel technology with both the Polish Patent Office and the European Patent Office (EPO), marking a pivotal moment in the company’s innovation roadmap and offering scalable potential for clean energy applications across the maritime, industrial, and public sectors.