ORLEN Group has become the first company globally to commercialize Multifuel technology—a groundbreaking solution enabling the production of electricity and heat using hydrogen, natural gas, or any mixture of the two in a fully automated process.
Developed in collaboration with Horus Energia, the innovation is designed to accelerate the adoption of alternative fuels in industry, contributing significantly to CO₂ emissions reduction. Multifuel allows for smooth energy transition by offering flexibility in the choice of energy sources, making it applicable to both new and existing generation units. It can increase power generation efficiency by over 5% and is already undergoing patent protection procedures in Poland and the European Patent Office (EPO).
“We effectively turn ideas into market-ready solutions,” said Tomasz Jarmicki, Director of the Office for Gas Technology Development and Implementation at ORLEN.
“Multifuel enables energy production from low- and zero-emission sources, depending on availability. It’s a major step toward energy transition and a key element in achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. We designed it with broad industrial use in mind—to support the decarbonization of Poland’s economy.”
Multifuel: A Modular, Scalable Energy Solution
The Multifuel system is a unique module applied to high-power gas engines (300 kWel to 2 MWel). It is suited for a wide range of industrial sectors, including:
- Power generation hubs and energy clusters
- Stabilization of the National Power System
- EV charging infrastructure at fuel stations
- Large-scale residential construction and commercial facilities
- Public institutions requiring backup power
The system uses two independent fuel supply lines, integrated with a central control system, allowing real-time adjustment of fuel mix proportions—something unmatched in current market solutions. The transition between gas compositions occurs during a single engine cycle, without the need to reduce output.
Proven Efficiency and Safety
ORLEN’s in-house tests confirmed the efficiency and safety of the technology. In trials using over 500 kg of hydrogen mixed in varying proportions with natural gas, Multifuel boosted electric power generation efficiency by over 5% compared to the engine’s factory performance without the system.
The tests also confirmed the safe integration of hydrogen in power generation processes, marking a breakthrough in hydrogen utilization.
Commercial Deployment Underway
As part of the agreement between ORLEN and Horus Energia, the technology is being rolled out commercially. Horus Energia has integrated Multifuel into its product line, enabling deployment in both new and existing distributed energy systems, thus supporting gradual fuel switching and decarbonization.
ORLEN has filed patent applications for the system in Poland and at the European Patent Office, paving the way for international expansion.
