Sustainable Energy Breakthrough: MOL-LUB and BDN Develop Hydrogen-Powered Engines with Financing from Obuda Uni Venture Capital
Obuda Uni Venture Capital (OUVC), the venture capital arm of Obuda University, is supporting BDN Automotive Kft.’s innovative hydrogen-diesel engine development project as a financing partner. As part of the initiative, BDN and MOL-LUB Kft. have entered into a strategic cooperation agreement to jointly develop hydrogen- and alternative-fuel-powered engines, as well as related lubricant technologies. The success of the project provides an outstanding example of collaboration between the university innovation ecosystem and market players, with the capital investment activities of Obuda University playing a key role in bringing forward-looking Hungarian technologies to market and supporting their industrial validation
The support provided by Obuda Uni Venture Capital as a financing partner, alongside Hiventures, BDN’s previous investor, has made a significant contribution to the launch of the BDN Engine Development Platform. The platform combines artificial intelligence-assisted calibration, simulation and combustion analysis to reduce development time and costs. Earlier stages of the development were also supported by Hiventures. The strategic cooperation combines MOL-LUB Kft.’s expertise in lubricant development and oil analysis with BDN’s competencies in engine development and engine control. The university-based testing and research activities were supported by the engine testing laboratory of the Department of Energy Engineering and Systems at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics.
The test bench measurements produced outstanding technological results: the maximum hydrogen share achieved during development calibration was 83 percent, meaning that at the given operating point, the majority of the energy input was provided by hydrogen. At the most favourable operating point, specific carbon dioxide emissions were reduced from 894 to 192 grams per kilowatt-hour compared with conventional diesel operation, representing a direct reduction of approximately 78.5 percent. Across the weighted average of the eight-point test programme, an emissions reduction of approximately 56 percent was demonstrated.
The key advantage of the hydrogen-diesel technology developed is its flexibility: if hydrogen supply is temporarily unavailable, the equipment can continue to operate fully on diesel fuel. This dual-fuel capability facilitates the gradual adoption of green technologies without compromising operational reliability. The primary application area of the development is the energy sector, particularly the decarbonisation of power supply for industrial facilities and data centres through hydrogen-based power generation systems. Another key area of application is railway transport, where existing diesel-powered vehicles can be converted to hydrogen-diesel operation.
Nimród Ludescher, Managing Director of BDN Group, emphasised that by converting existing engines, the company aims to create a pathway for reducing emissions that builds on equipment already in use. He added that the next steps will focus on demonstrating durability and real-world operating performance, launching pilot projects, and preparing for market entry. With the project now entering its next phase, BDN is seeking additional investors as well as industrial and energy-sector pilot partners—including data centre operators, industrial companies and railway companies—to participate in joint testing and operational validation activities.
The test bench measurements produced outstanding technological results: the maximum hydrogen share achieved during development calibration was 83 percent, meaning that at the given operating point, the majority of the energy input was provided by hydrogen. At the most favourable operating point, specific carbon dioxide emissions were reduced from 894 to 192 grams per kilowatt-hour compared with conventional diesel operation, representing a direct reduction of approximately 78.5 percent. Across the weighted average of the eight-point test programme, an emissions reduction of approximately 56 percent was demonstrated.
The key advantage of the hydrogen-diesel technology developed is its flexibility: if hydrogen supply is temporarily unavailable, the equipment can continue to operate fully on diesel fuel. This dual-fuel capability facilitates the gradual adoption of green technologies without compromising operational reliability. The primary application area of the development is the energy sector, particularly the decarbonisation of power supply for industrial facilities and data centres through hydrogen-based power generation systems. Another key area of application is railway transport, where existing diesel-powered vehicles can be converted to hydrogen-diesel operation.
Nimród Ludescher, Managing Director of BDN Group, emphasised that by converting existing engines, the company aims to create a pathway for reducing emissions that builds on equipment already in use. He added that the next steps will focus on demonstrating durability and real-world operating performance, launching pilot projects, and preparing for market entry. With the project now entering its next phase, BDN is seeking additional investors as well as industrial and energy-sector pilot partners—including data centre operators, industrial companies and railway companies—to participate in joint testing and operational validation activities.
