The world’s largest engines and what they power

The globe’s most massive engines, and the machinery they energize, are an impressive sight to behold. From colossal gas-powered turbines to immense diesel engines, these behemoths are capable of delivering tremendous power that propels entire industries.

The largest engines in existence are powered by gas turbines, with some boasting the ability to generate upwards of 100 megawatts of power, or enough electricity to power tens of thousands of homes. Gas turbines are most commonly used in power plants and for propulsion in ships and aircraft. The world’s largest gas turbine is the GE 9HA.S, a model developed by General Electric. This engine, which is more than 20 meters long and 8 meters wide, can generate up to 478 megawatts of power.

Diesel engines are also incredibly powerful and are utilized in a variety of applications. The world’s largest diesel engine is the Wärtsilä-Sulzer RTA96-C, a two-stroke, turbocharged, and direct-injection engine that is used primarily in large ships and cargo vessels. This engine is over 25 meters long and 11 meters wide, and it can produce up to 84,000 horsepower, or the equivalent of more than 100 megawatts of power.

Another engine that falls into the category of the world’s largest is the Rolls-Royce Merlin, a V-12 piston engine that was first used in the famed Spitfire fighter aircraft of World War II. While the Merlin was designed for aircraft propulsion, it has been adapted for use in other applications, such as powering boats and cars. The largest model of the Merlin is the 1,600 horsepower (1,200 kW) engine, which is over 1.5 meters long and almost a meter wide.

The sheer enormity of these engines, and the power they can generate, is awe-inspiring. From the GE 9HA.S gas turbine to the Wärtsilä-Sulzer RTA96-C diesel engine to the Rolls-Royce Merlin, these colossal machines are capable of delivering staggering amounts of energy to power a wide range of industrial operations.