Wartsila, a Finnish company, is renowned for producing some of the largest internal combustion engines in the world. Their latest offering, the Wartsila 31 marine engine, has set a new standard in efficiency as it holds the record for being the most efficient four-stroke marine engine of its type. The Guinness Book of World Records has recognized its exceptional capabilities.
The Wartsila 31 is a versatile engine that can run on diesel, dual fuel, or marine gasoline and has been converted to produce clean electricity. It comes with an impressive size of 4.7 meters tall and 8.7 meters long and can generate up to 13,142 horsepower or 9,800 kW at speeds of 720 to 750 rpm. This engine is perfect for ships that require high power output while maintaining low emissions.
Recently, Wartsila has been working on converting the Wartsila 31 into hydrogen-powered generators. They have introduced two versions of the engine – the 31SG-H2 and the 31H2 – designed to run entirely on hydrogen or natural gas mixed with hydrogen or natural gas alone respectively. These engines are expected to be some of the world’s largest hydrogen generators when they are presented provided there is enough hydrogen available.
The use of hydrogen in Wartsila’s power station concept is aimed at supporting grids that rely on renewable energy sources like wind and solar which can be variable and intermittent. By using hydrogen, Wartsila is able to generate 100% carbon-free electricity while providing flexibility and balance in the electricity system with their flexible fuel engines. President of Wartsila Anders Lindberg emphasizes the need for natural gas now as a transition fuel while moving towards hydrogen for emission-free electricity.
Wartsila’s hydrogen engines have received phase one certification from TÜV SUD and are expected to be ready by 2026 with two more certifications pending before construction can begin. These engines represent a significant step towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly energy future as they offer lower emissions while maintaining high power output capabilities.
In conclusion, Wartsila’s latest offering, the Wartsila 31 marine engine has set new standards in efficiency while also providing flexibility in terms of fuel usage options such as diesel, dual fuel or marine gasoline conversion into clean electricity production option.
With recent developments towards using hydrogen as an alternative source