PRESS RELEASE Power Generation

Rolls-Royce secures emergency backup power for colocation data centre in Colorado with mtu Kinetic PowerPacks

Posted on June 06, 2024

Images [2 Files, 2 MB]

  • Kinetic energy system provides immediate response in case of outage or power disruption from grid
  • Colorado Springs location to be pilot for possible future expansion

Rolls-Royce has received an order from its distributor Smith Power Products to provide two 1,500kW mtu Kinetic PowerPacks (KPPs) for NOVVA Data Centers, the pioneers of sustainable, secure colocation in the Western United States. The two KPPs will provide emergency backup power for an expansion at the company’s Colorado Springs data center. The Power Systems division of Rolls-Royce has already delivered over 50MW of mtu emergency diesel gensets for NOVVA’s various locations through Smith Power Products.

NOVVA Data Centers places a strong emphasis on conservation and sustainability, so choosing a backup power system that fit this vision was also a significant consideration. The KPP’s battery-free design and ability to run on hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO)/ renewable diesel fits in perfectly with NOVVA’s environmental approach. Additionally, Smith Power will be providing a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system to nearly eliminate the emission of nitrogen oxides when the system is running. Also included in the scope of supply are custom enclosures for the units, including 24-hour fuel storage.

Unlike static UPS systems where batteries are required to pick up the immediate load before the diesel engine fires up, the KPP is considered a dynamic UPS system. It uses stored kinetic energy from the flywheel to power the synchronous machine and provide an immediate response until the engine comes online seconds later to take over the load.

Nick Paolo, Business Development Manager, Smith Power Products said: “The space and cost savings from the battery-free design of the KPP system were key considerations for NOVVA in deciding on this solution for an expansion at their Colorado Springs location. We have already installed over 50MW of emergency standby power for NOVVA’s various locations based on mtu Series 4000 gensets, so we’re excited to demonstrate the same absolute reliability the KPP technology has to offer.”

The KPPs will be built at the Rolls-Royce competence center in Liege, Belgium and are scheduled to be commissioned in Q4 2024. They will be supported locally by a full-service maintenance contract to ensure the system performs at the highest level for its 20+ year lifecycle.

To learn more about mtu Kinetic PowerPacks, visit  mtu Kinetic PowerPack (mtu-solutions.com)

About Rolls-Royce Holdings plc

  1. Rolls-Royce develops and delivers complex power and propulsion solutions for safety-critical applications in the air, at sea and on land. Our products and service packages enable our customers to connect people, societies, cultures and economies together; they meet the growing need for power generation across multiple industries; and enable governments to equip their armed forces with the power to protect.
  2. Rolls-Royce has a presence in 48 countries and customers in more than 150, comprising over 250 commercial large aero engine customers, 160 armed forces and navies and approximately 40,000 active Power Systems customers. We are committed to becoming a net zero company by 2050 and we support our customers to do the same.
  3. Annual underlying revenue was £15.4bn in 2023, underlying operating profit was £1.6bn and free cash flow £1.3bn.  
  4. Rolls-Royce Holdings plc is 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 10,500 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.

www.rolls-royce.com

Contact

Jennifer Riley Spokeswoman North and Latin America
Phone:
+1 248 560 8488
E-mail: