Rolls-Royce successfully tests mtu fuel cell system for blackout case and peak power
Posted on April 17, 2023
Successful completion of first 250-kilowatt fuel cell demonstrator
CO2-free energy system being designed for data centers and other industrial applications
Rolls-Royce shows mtu fuel cell system at Hannover Messe
Rolls-Royce’s (LSE: RR., ADR: RYCEY) tests of its first mtu fuel cell demonstrator have proven that the system can provide uninterruptible power in the event of a blackout. Dr. Philippe Gorse, responsible for the development of the mtu fuel cell system at the business unit Power Systems of Rolls-Royce, said: “The 250-kilowatt system we built at our headquarters in Friedrichshafen and tested for about a year absolutely met our expectations. During the blackout simulation, the system immediately and consistently provided the requested power.”
The interaction of fuel cell modules, batteries and power grid was the focus of the tests to demonstrate the ability of an uninterruptible power supply for data centers. It is black-start capable, meaning it can be started without being connected to a power grid. Tests for peak load power delivery, i.e., when a highly fluctuating demand is met by the fuel cell system over a period of time in parallel with the power grid, were also successfully validated.
Why fuel cells?
Fuel cells have a very high efficiency when generating electricity using hydrogen and oxygen. They emit no harmful emissions when operating on pure hydrogen, only water vapor, are quiet and require little maintenance, and cause no vibration. Dr. Peter Riegger, head of the Rolls-Royce PowerLab explained: “The biggest plus point comes when regeneratively produced hydrogen is used as fuel. Then the emission of pollutants and climate-damaging gases together can be reduced to zero. In this way, fuel cells have enormous potential to become a key technology building block for the decarbonization of propulsion and energy systems.”
mtu fuel cell system for first time in use for port of Duisport
As part of the publicly funded Enerport II project, Duisport, one of the world’s largest inland ports, will commission a new terminal with a hydrogen-based supply network during 2024. In the future, most of the electrical and thermal energy required in the port will be generated directly on site from hydrogen in a CO2-neutral manner. This will be ensured by two mtu fuel cell systems and two combined heat and power plants with mtu Series 4000 hydrogen engines. This project is supported by the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection.
As part of its sustainability program, Rolls-Royce is focusing the product portfolio of its Power Systems business unit on sustainable fuels and new technologies that can further reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
About Rolls-Royce Holdings plc
- Rolls-Royce is a force for progress; powering, protecting and connecting people everywhere. Our products and service packages help our customers meet the growing need for power across multiple industries; enable governments to equip their armed forces with the power required to protect their citizens; and connect people, societies, cultures and economies together.
- Rolls-Royce has a local presence in 48 countries and customers in over a hundred more, including airlines and aircraft leasing companies, armed forces and navies, and marine and industrial customers.
- Through our multi-year transformation programme, we are building a high-performing, competitive, resilient and growing Rolls-Royce. We are building the financial capacity and agility to allow us to successfully develop and deliver the products that will support our customers through the energy transition.
- Annual underlying revenue was £17.8 billion in 2024, and underlying operating profit was £2.46 billion.
- Rolls-Royce Holdings plc is a publicly traded company (LSE: RR., ADR: RYCEY, LEI: 213800EC7997ZBLZJH69)5.
- Rolls-Royce Power Systems is headquartered in Friedrichshafen in southern Germany and employs more than 10,350 people. The product portfolio includes mtu-brand high-speed engines and propulsion systems for ships, heavy land, rail and defence vehicles and for the oil and gas industry. The portfolio also includes diesel and gas systems and battery containers for mission critical, standby and continuous power, combined generation of heat and power, and microgrids. With its climate friendly technologies, Rolls-Royce Power Systems is helping to drive the energy transition.
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