Rolls-Royce has reached a significant milestone in the energy transition by obtaining H2-ready certification for its MTU Series 4000 FNER/FV gas engines. This achievement, announced during the company’s Powergen Symposium, marks a crucial step towards sustainable power generation and aligns with Rolls-Royce’s strategic focus on lower carbon and digitally enabled solutions.
The certification, granted by TÜV Süd, a leading international testing and certification service provider, demonstrates Rolls-Royce’s commitment to developing innovative technologies that address the growing demand for cleaner energy sources. This advancement showcases the company’s technical expertise and positions Rolls-Royce as a key player in the ongoing global efforts to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change.
H2-ready certification: Secure a future-proofed investment in hydrogen engines today
Rolls-Royce received H2 readiness certification from TÜV Süd, a leading international testing and certification service provider. This certification confirms that the MTU Series 4000 FNER/FV gas engine components and systems are prepared for future use with hydrogen and can be converted accordingly. The certification applies to newly built and retrofitted power plants using these engines.
This allows for operation with a hydrogen admixture of up to 25% by volume and potentially 100% by volume. This achievement demonstrates Rolls-Royce’s technological prowess and provides customers with increased investment security, ensuring that their power generation solutions are future-proofed for the evolving energy landscape.
Advanced hydrogen engine tests: Achieving 1 MW output and beyond
Engineers at Rolls-Royce are currently testing the first mtu 100% hydrogen engines at their gas systems plant in Augsburg, Germany. Tests of the 12-cylinder mtu Series 4000 L64 gas engine have demonstrated impressive performance, efficiency, and emissions characteristics. The engine has already achieved the desired output of one megawatt for an upcoming project, with expectations to reach 1.2 megawatts through further development.
Rolls-Royce has also established the necessary infrastructure for test bench runs of hydrogen engines at their Augsburg and Friedrichshafen plants. These advancements represent significant progress in sustainable energy solutions, showcasing the potential of hydrogen-powered engines in industrial applications and contributing to the ongoing transition towards cleaner energy sources.
Future hydrogen projects: New installations and strategic collaborations for 2025
The first installation of mtu engines running on 100% hydrogen is planned for early 2025 as part of the Enerport II lighthouse project in the German inland port of Duisburg. Two combined heat and power plants will contribute to a CO2-neutral energy supply in a new container terminal. Additionally, Rolls-Royce is participating in a consortium with five companies and research centers to develop technologies for highly efficient hydrogen combustion engines.
This initiative, known as the Phoenix project, aims to create next-generation hydrogen engines capable of generating the same electrical and thermal energy as current natural gas CHP units in the larger output range of up to 2.5 MW. These collaborative efforts underscore the growing importance of hydrogen technology in the energy sector, emphasizing its potential to revolutionize power generation and contribute significantly to global decarbonization goals. The projects also highlight the increasing focus on sustainable energy solutions in industrial and maritime applications, paving the way for a cleaner, more efficient future.
Rolls-Royce’s H2-ready engines: Pioneering CO2-free power generation for the future
Lastly, Rolls-Royce’s obtaining H2-ready certification for its MTU engines represents a significant advancement in sustainable power generation. This milestone not only increases customer investment security but also positions Rolls-Royce at the forefront of the energy transition. As the availability of green hydrogen improves, these hydrogen-ready engines will play a crucial role in providing flexible, CO2-free power generation. The company’s ongoing research, development, and collaborations in hydrogen technology demonstrate its commitment to creating innovative solutions for a more sustainable future in power generation.
