Some interpret decarbonization as requiring absolute zero, meaning only electrification from 100% renewable sources. But the story is much broader.
The sustainability of engine and fuel technology is now part of our culture. We think about changes in engine design and new technologies used to enhance performance. This is happening across the board, no matter the country or sector.
Everyone is thinking about it. The question now is deployment — how do we get more advanced engines and cleaner fuels into more parts of the world? Developed countries are far ahead, and the greatest opportunities are in places that don’t even have electricity.
If you can bring a generator into that setting and power it with local fuel, which might be 100 percent renewable, that’s a strong setup. I’ve seen this in several Asian countries where engines were used to pump water and provide limited electricity for small villages. Engines enable people to do a lot of great things, and of course, if you have an engine, you need fuel.
We see that in nearly every application, from power generation down to commercial vehicles delivering goods to people who need them. We’ve been focused heavily on decarbonization and net zero emissions, but ultimately that’s an aspiration. Whether it becomes reality across all sectors remains to be seen.
In the meantime, those of us working to make things better want to see advanced technology replace old technology and cleaner fuels reach more of the population.
Reid: I think we can conclude by talking about something you raised earlier — the role of combustion in new technology sectors, especially data centers. AI may be hyped, but so was the early internet. It didn’t go away, and it only grew. I’m sure AI will follow a similar path.
We’re now in a situation where AI requires an all of the above energy strategy, including combustion. That strategy is expanding to include modular nuclear reactors and more. Could you expand on how combustion fits into this new sector?
Schaeffer: Sure. The primary area is power generation. In the last few years, we’ve seen an incredible uptick in demand for advanced diesel technology. Diesel has always been the gold backup standard for mission critical applications — hospitals, 911 centers, anything requiring continuous electrical power.
The fact that diesel remains the gold standard says a lot about the technology, the fuel and the service networks that support it.
Now, with rapid growth in hyperscale AI data centers, these facilities have enormous power demands. Companies are stepping in to deliver not just backup power but transitional bridge prime power. Natural gas gensets can run on site and generate electricity until a utility connection is available, with diesel still serving as backup.
These situations are now daily occurrences. Every engine manufacturer has become a broad solutions provider. They understand power demand, switching between grid and backup, proper sizing, redundancy and uptime. They’ve done this for decades.
It’s a strong place for the engine industry. We’re also seeing sustainability: many data centers specify 100 percent renewable diesel. Whether for testing or actual deployment during outages, they’re using the cleanest, lowest carbon fuel available. More data centers are requesting tier four emissions performance plus renewable diesel, which presents the most sustainable option available today.
This segment of the industry is booming, with no end in sight.
Reid: No, certainly not. It’s Wild West right now — a hot market, maybe a bit of a bubble, but the trend will play out. I don’t think it’s going away, though the landscape may shift over time. Thank you very much. If someone wanted to get involved with the Engine Technology Forum, how would they do that?
Schaeffer: The first step is to check out our website, https://enginetechforum.org. You can find information about the organization and learn about advanced diesel engines and fuels, as well as other engine technologies and the fuels they use.
If you’re a manufacturer, fuel supplier or someone who wants to support the idea that engines and liquid fuels have a long future ahead, reach out to us. We’d be happy to talk further.
Reid: Thanks again, Allen. Appreciate it.
Schaeffer: Thank you, Reid. Have a good day.
