Lars Kräft, Head of Industrial Business at Rolls-Royce Power Systems, said: “The mtu Hybrid PowerPack is currently establishing itself as drive system for the future on non-electrified routes. We would be delighted if trains with our hybrid drives could improve rail services in Baden-Württemberg, which is located virtually right on the doorsteps of our headquarters. Significant reductions of noise and emissions would be achieved, without any additional costs for changes in infrastructure.”
The mtu Hybrid PowerPack is an environmentally friendly drive system that combines the benefits of battery- and diesel-powered traction systems. It combines an mtu diesel engine, built to EU Stage V requirements, with an electric unit that can function both as a motor and as a generator, and with the mtu EnergyPack battery system that stores energy recovered during braking.
Within the past years, Rolls-Royce has brought this technology to full-production maturity, making ongoing refinements. Among the first customers are the state railway of the Republic of Ireland and the British leasing company Porterbrook. For the Hybrid PowerPack’s contribution to climate protection and resource conservation, the drive solution was recently awarded the Innovation Prize of German rail trade media publishing house Bahn-Media-Verlag.
As part of its strategy PS 2030, Rolls-Royce’s business unit Power Systems is focusing on technologies for the decarbonisation of drive and energy supply solutions. In addition to the Hybrid PowerPack, this concept includes microgrids, intelligent distributed electricity supply systems which Rolls-Royce is using to actively support the green energy revolution.
