ORECA inaugurates its hydrogen engine test bench

This is a big step forward that ORECA is preparing to take. Always in search of development, the French group based in Nièvre is currently developing its own hydrogen combustion competition engine. A first in France!

« Since its creation, the search for performance and sporting success have been part of ORECA's DNA., underlines Hugues de Chaunac. Today and through ORECA Magny-Cours, its engines division, the Group is planning a major new approach and we are pleased that institutional partners are supporting us. This project was recently certified by the Pôle Véhicule du Futur and is supported by institutional partners such as the BPI and the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté Region. Their support is a sign of recognition of both the expertise of our company and its driving role in the development of tomorrow's technologies.."

At the dawn of his 50^e anniversary, ORECA is preparing to take action by inaugurating its hydrogen engine test bench. The Nivernaise structure project “ aims to use hydrogen (H₂) as an energy source, on a thermal engine (replacing traditional gasoline or diesel fuel). The hydrogen gas will be injected directly into the combustion chamber and not into the intake tract. » This is part of the aim of responding to the challenges linked to the ecological transition. Hydrogen combustion does not produce CO₂ (carbon dioxide) unlike conventional combustion and can significantly reduce (-50%) the level of NOx (Nitrogen oxides) emissions and the level of particles emitted. (-80%).

©ORECA

ORECA is innovating

For this, ORECA is responsible for modifying an internal combustion engine “ developed for gasoline type liquid fuel » in order to make it compatible to allow the combustion of hydrogen to be carried out. Several steps are necessary for this process since it concerns all parts of the engine (redefinition of the combustion chamber, air and hydrogen supply systems). : redefinition of the cylinder head, the piston, adaptation of the turbocharger, change and characterization of a gas injector and finally identification of the possible impacts linked to the use of a gas, hydrogen, on all the mechanical parts which are in touch.

« Since its creation, ORECA has adopted a long-term vision and through this hydrogen combustion engine project, its objective is twofold: capitalize on decades of experience of the internal combustion engine in motor racing to continue its development while adapting to a new energy, hydrogen, adds Rémi Taffin, technical director of ORECA. This project appears to be a logical and reasoned continuation allowing the Group's engines division to clearly display its intentions. As an expert in the field of preparing thermal engines, he also wishes to be part of an approach to limiting the carbon impact. It is not just about searching but also finding and proposing technological building blocks that are credible and responsible in technical and financial terms. Thanks to this exciting and innovative project, ORECA is concretely committed to the technological transformation which should allow all players in motorsport to continue to benefit from their passion thanks to new energy solutions that meet societal challenges.."