Hyliion has demonstrated dynamic fuel switching capability in its KARNO Power Module, according to an announcement by the company. The system transitioned between natural gas and propane while maintaining continuous power output under load, with no interruption, shutdown, or hardware changes. This demonstration highlights the KARNO module’s ability to sustain operations and adapt to varying fuel availability, a feature Hyliion claims advances resilient power generation options.
The KARNO Power Module is engineered to operate on more than twenty different fuel types, including natural gas, propane, diesel, hydrogen, and ammonia. Hyliion states the system’s onboard software automatically detects new fuels and adjusts core operating parameters in real time, maintaining performance for end users.
For data center applications, Hyliion says the KARNO module could eliminate the need for separate diesel backup systems by switching fuels mid-operation, helping maintain uptime during supply disruptions. Additional use cases cited by Hyliion include managing fluctuations in biogas composition for waste-to-energy projects and supporting rental or distributed power operators using the same unit across sites and fuels.
Unlike conventional generators, the KARNO module uses heat as its primary input rather than timed combustion. Its linear generator design controls fuel flow and temperature to efficiently convert energy from multiple fuels into electricity with low emissions. Although not all twenty fuels will be enabled at product launch, Hyliion reports the system is built for future compatibility across a diverse fuel spectrum as commercialization advances.
“The need for reliable, dispatchable power is not waiting for a perfect fuel. It requires flexibility,” said Thomas Healy, Founder and CEO of Hyliion. “The KARNO system gives customers the freedom to choose the energy source that makes the most sense, whether that is the cleanest, the most affordable, or simply the one that is readily available.”
Source: Hyliion
