With a rich legacy spanning 75 years, Kirloskar Oil Engines Ltd. (KOEL) has long been a leader in the manufacturing of air-cooled and liquid-cooled diesel engines, gensets, and industrial engines that power industries such as agriculture, construction, mining, and marine applications. Known for its robust diesel engine solutions, KOEL has now embarked on an exciting new journey towards cleaner energy. The company’s latest innovation, the Hydrogen Fuel Enhanced Combustion (HFEC) genset, developed in collaboration with IIT Delhi, Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), and Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), marks a significant milestone in this transition.
This breakthrough in hydrogen-powered gensets, backed by a newly granted patent, combines the power of hydrogen with conventional diesel engines, setting a new benchmark for efficiency and sustainability in power generation. Under the leadership of Mr. Rahul Sahai, CEO of KOEL, the company is poised to lead the shift towards cleaner energy solutions, balancing its strong diesel engine heritage with a forward-thinking approach to innovation and sustainability.
A: We have always believed in being at the forefront of technological evolution. Our journey in the diesel engine market spans decades, built on a foundation of reliability and efficiency. However, as the global conversation shifts more toward sustainability, we realized that innovation, particularly in green technologies, is essential to ensuring that our long-term vision stays aligned with the world’s needs. The transition to hydrogen fuel-enhanced technology is not just a response to regulatory pressures; it stems from our deep-rooted commitment to a cleaner future.
It’s not a sudden shift, but a carefully thought-out evolution of our product lines. We’ve been laying the groundwork for sustainable technologies for years, exploring multiple alternatives beyond hydrogen. Our work with CNG, dual fuel, methanol, and natural gas solutions has already started to reduce emissions across the board, reflecting our proactive approach. We know hydrogen has immense potential, especially in terms of reducing greenhouse gases, with its primary emissions being only water vapor and heat. But more than that, hydrogen can be produced from renewable sources, making it a key pillar in our future energy strategy.
We’ve already made significant strides with products that utilize hydrogen blended with natural gas and even hydrogen blended with diesel. The biggest challenge right now, though, is the availability of green hydrogen, which, while promising, is still in the early stages of widespread adoption. However, the industry is making steady progress, and we are confident that the infrastructure for green hydrogen will continue to strengthen in the coming years.
To help accelerate this transition, we’ve introduced engines equipped with our Hydrogen Fuel Enhanced Combustion (HFEC) technology. This innovation allows us to seamlessly incorporate green hydrogen into our systems, alongside natural gas and diesel, ensuring greater flexibility in fuel sources. By doing so, we’re not only addressing the current limitations of hydrogen availability but also positioning KOEL to lead the way in adopting green hydrogen on a larger scale. It’s all part of our broader strategy to provide sustainable power solutions that are ready for the future.
Our long-term vision remains centered on delivering reliable, efficient, and environmentally responsible power solutions, and hydrogen technology is a pivotal part of that. As more markets turn toward low-emission technology, KOEL is positioning itself to lead this transition, ensuring that we continue to provide top-tier solutions while contributing to a cleaner planet.
A: The HFEC genset represents years of hard work and innovative thinking, driven by a commitment to lead the market in sustainable power solutions. Developing this genset wasn’t just about engineering—it was about collaborating with the best minds in the field. We partnered with IIT Delhi, ARAI, and IOCL knowing that their expertise in research, testing, and fuel technology would help us push the boundaries of what’s possible. The HFEC genset stands as a testament to our ability to blend cutting-edge technology with sustainable practices, focusing on clean fuel combustion without forgoing efficiency or reliability.
Our focus during the development of the HFEC genset was to create a technology that balances sustainability with high performance, and our partners were instrumental in achieving that balance.
These collaborations brought together expertise in research, testing, and engineering, which enabled us to accelerate the development of HFEC technology while maintaining our high standards for reliability and performance. By leveraging these partnerships, we were able to develop a product that not only meets stringent regulatory standards but is also poised to lead in both sustainability and operational excellence.
By combining their collective expertise with KOEL’s legacy of reliable engine design, we’ve managed to create a genset that is not only environmentally friendly but also capable of meeting the high operational standards required by our customers across industries. This collaboration underscores the importance of partnerships in driving innovation, and it’s a model we intend to follow as we continue developing next-generation power solutions.
A: Our hydrogen genset technology is the result of KOEL’s long-standing commitment to innovation and our deep understanding of power solutions. What truly differentiates this genset from traditional models is the precision-engineered approach we’ve taken with the hydrogen combustion process. We have employed advanced spark-ignition technology combined with electronically controlled high-pressure fuel injection, ensuring that every aspect of the combustion process is tightly managed for optimal performance.
One of the most important features of this genset is its ability to produce zero carbon emissions, something that sets it apart in today’s market. But we didn’t stop there—we’ve also incorporated measures to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions, ensuring compliance with some of the most stringent environmental regulations in the world. Moreover, the genset includes isochronous electronic governing, which allows it to maintain high levels of performance even under varying load conditions.
Safety was, of course, a major focus given hydrogen’s properties, and we’ve taken steps to ensure that the system handles the fuel safely and efficiently. The modified combustion chamber design not only optimizes thermal efficiency but also ensures that the genset remains reliable over its lifecycle, offering a cleaner and safer alternative to traditional power generation technologies.
A: There’s no doubt that hydrogen is quickly emerging as one of the most promising clean energy alternatives. Our HFEC genset is designed to take full advantage of hydrogen’s potential to reduce emissions. By using hydrogen as the primary fuel, the genset virtually eliminates carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and significantly reduces nitrogen oxide emissions, which are major contributors to air pollution and climate change.
This positions KOEL at the forefront of a global energy revolution, as industries and governments alike push for cleaner, more sustainable solutions. Hydrogen is poised to play a central role in the future of energy generation because it can be produced from renewable sources like solar and wind, which makes it a key part of the clean energy mix. Furthermore, hydrogen’s ability to be stored and transported means it has the flexibility to be used in various industries, from transportation to large-scale power generation.
For KOEL, the shift to hydrogen is not just a strategic move but a reflection of our commitment to the future. We envision a world where hydrogen is an integral part of the energy ecosystem, and we are proud to be leading the way with innovative technologies like the HFEC genset.
A: Developing the HFEC genset was no small feat, given the unique challenges posed by hydrogen as a fuel. Its higher energy density and faster combustion rate required us to strike a delicate balance between performance and safety. The combustion process was especially tricky, as hydrogen’s rapid ignition could have affected both engine efficiency and emissions control. This is where our collaborations with IIT Delhi, ARAI, and IOCL became invaluable. Their expertise in advanced research and rigorous testing helped us refine the combustion process, ensuring that our genset not only met but exceeded global standards for both performance and environmental compliance.
However, the biggest challenge we face now is the availability of green hydrogen itself. While its potential is immense, the infrastructure for green hydrogen is still in its early stages. That being said, the industry is making steady progress, and we’re confident that as the availability of green hydrogen improves, it will open up new doors for widespread adoption. To bridge the gap in the meantime, we’ve introduced engines with our Hydrogen Fuel Enhanced Combustion (HFEC) technology. This innovation allows us to incorporate green hydrogen seamlessly into our systems, alongside more readily available fuels like natural gas and diesel. By offering this flexibility, we’re addressing the current limitations while positioning KOEL to lead the charge in green hydrogen adoption as infrastructure continues to evolve.
This forward-thinking approach is central to our broader mission—delivering sustainable, future-ready power solutions that meet the demands of today and tomorrow.
A: Our roadmap for hydrogen technology is ambitious yet carefully thought out. We’re approaching this transition in phases, beginning with the HFEC genset and gradually incorporating hydrogen technology across our broader product range. By doing so, we are ensuring that we not only meet the immediate market demands for cleaner solutions but also anticipate future regulatory and operational needs.
In India, the demand for low-emission technologies is growing rapidly, and the global market is following a similar trajectory. By leading the way in hydrogen gensets, KOEL is positioning itself to capture a significant share of the market both domestically and internationally. Our strategy also includes working closely with industry stakeholders and governments to ensure that our hydrogen technology can be scaled and implemented across industries.
KOEL’s long history of providing reliable power solutions gives us a strong foundation upon which to build our hydrogen portfolio. As we roll out these new products, we expect to redefine what’s possible in the genset market, offering solutions that are not only cleaner but also more efficient and reliable.
A: At KOEL, we see our move towards hydrogen as a natural evolution of our legacy. While we’ve built our reputation on providing reliable diesel engines, we recognize that the future demands cleaner alternatives. Our hydrogen-based solutions are designed to carry forward the same levels of performance and reliability that our customers have come to expect, but with a much smaller environmental footprint.
Balancing these two priorities—maintaining our legacy while driving innovation—is at the heart of our strategy. We are ensuring that our hydrogen gensets meet the same rigorous standards as our traditional engines, so that customers can transition seamlessly without compromising on reliability. This approach allows us to cater to the growing demand for clean energy, while also staying true to the principles that have made KOEL a trusted name in the industry.
A: With our extensive industry experience and unwavering commitment to innovation, KOEL is well-positioned to play a leading role in the global transition toward sustainable energy. Our hydrogen gensets are central to our international growth strategy, enabling us to meet the rising demand for low-emission technologies across global markets. By forging strategic partnerships with industry leaders and research institutions, we are continuing to drive our global expansion while staying ahead of the curve.
KOEL isn’t just adapting to the evolving energy landscape—we’re actively shaping it. Our dedication to both sustainability and innovation places us at the forefront of the clean energy revolution, not only in India but on a global scale. We are excited about what the future holds and confident that the steps we are taking today will define the energy solutions of tomorrow.
Leave a Reply