Rolls-Royce: mtu Series 4000 gas engine output passes the 3000 mark

• mtu gensets and CHP modules based on Series 4000 gas units crowned by success
• 3000th gas genset destined for Myanmar

The Series 4000 natural gas engine has been part of Rolls-Royce's mtu-branded product portfolio since October 2004. The 3000^th  gas genset has now rolled off the production line. It will be delivered to VPower Group, one of the world's leading system integrators in the power generation sector, for a customer project in  Myanmar.

mtu Series 4000 gas engines are produced at Rolls-Royce’s plant in Friedrichshafen and subsequently built into complete systems at its Augsburg facility. “Here in Augsburg, the majority of our people work on the Series 4000 now – not just in production, but on R&D activity as well. Our engineers are continuously working on improving the efficiency and performance of the system,” said Bernhard Bächle, head of the Augsburg facility. The array of applications in which gas systems are used ranges from pure power generation to combined heat and power (CHP) co-generation, where the system's waste heat is also used alongside the electrical power output, putting overall efficiencies of 90%-plus within reach.

Symbolic milestone

“Production of the 3000^th gas genset is a symbolic milestone for us. In particular, the growing demand we've seen over the past five years shows that our products meet our customers' exacting requirements head-on,” said Andreas Görtz, Vice President, Power Generation at Rolls-Royce Power Systems Division. The company's first Series 4000 test gas engine commenced operation in a CHP plant at mtu's Plant 2 in Friedrichshafen back in 2003. The Series 4000 gas engine went into full production in 2004.

Continuous design improvements

In the early years, the natural gas Series 4000 enjoyed major success on the market in greenhouse nurseries, especially in the Benelux countries. “In Germany, gas engine systems are a recurring feature in orders from municipal utilities, being used as CHP plants to supply power and heat to industrial operations. mtu gas engine systems are now in operation in 48 countries around the world”, explains Carsten Baumgarten, who leads the development of the series. The current mark-4 version of the Series 4000 gas engine can be supplied as a natural gas, biogas or special gas engine with 8, 12, 16 or 20 cylinders, covering a power range from 800 to 2,600 kW and running for up to 8,000 hours per year, depending on the application.

Preferences in the power generation market are trending towards sustainable power supplies. “Gas engines are increasingly in demand to compensate for the natural volatility of solar and wind power by generating what is referred to as load-balancing power and also for decentralized energy generation in emerging markets,” explained Görtz. “As one of the core elements of our microgrids – autonomous, decentralized power grids – gas systems can make a significant contribution to the move towards renewable energies.”

Read more about Rolls-Royce power generation based on medium-speed engines at
www.rolls-royce.com/bergen

About Rolls-Royce Holdings plc

1.         Rolls-Royce pioneers cutting-edge technologies that deliver clean, safe and competitive solutions to meet our planet’s vital power needs.

2.         Rolls-Royce Power Systems is headquartered in Friedrichshafen in southern Germany and employs more than 10,000 people. The product portfolio includes mtu-brand high-speed engines and propulsion systems for ships, power generation, heavy land, rail and defence vehicles and for the oil and gas industry as well as diesel and gas systems and battery containers for mission critical, standby and continuous power, combined generation of heat and power, and microgrids. Medium-speed engines from Bergen power ships and power generation applications.

3.         Rolls-Royce has customers in more than 150 countries, comprising more than 400 airlines and leasing customers, 160 armed forces, 70 navies, and more than 5,000 power and nuclear customers.

4.         Annual underlying revenue was £15.3 billion in 2019, around half of which came from the provision of aftermarket services.

5.         In 2019, Rolls-Royce invested £1.45 billion on research and development. We also support a global network of 29 University Technology Centres, which position Rolls-Royce engineers at the forefront of scientific research.

6.         The Group has a strong commitment to apprentice and graduate recruitment and to further developing employee skills.