UK-based global power and industrial technology group Rolls-Royce announced on Friday that its Germany-based Rolls-Royce Power Systems division, which produces mtu-brand engines and power systems, was further developing its power generation units so that they could run on hydrogen. Hydrogen fuel does not produce carbon emissions.

Already, mtu Series 500 and Series 4000 gas engines can be run using a fuel blend containing 10% hydrogen. Beginning next year, this will be increased to 25% hydrogen. And from 2023, new-build engines in both series will be able to be run using 100% hydrogen fuel. Further, ‘design-to-order’ conversion kits will also become available in 2023, allowing already installed examples of these engines to be converted to 100% hydrogen fuel.

“The decarbonisation of power generation requires reliable, flexible, but also climate-neutral, power plants to supplement the fluctuating generation from wind and sun,” highlighted Rolls-Royce Power Systems VP: power generation Andreas Görtz. “We assume that natural gas will initially be the primary fuel in the development of the hydrogen ecosystem, but we see hydrogen as technically and economically possible. That is why we continue to develop our gas engines for use with green hydrogen – whether as a 10% or 25% admixture or for 100%.”

The Power Systems division is mapping the complete hydrogen ecosystem, including test benches, conversion procedures, supply infrastructure and future production needs, to develop in-house expertise. It is also investing in the development of fuel cells powered by 100% green hydrogen. It has already constructed a 250 kW demonstrator fuel cell, which is located at the division’s head office in Friedrichshafen. This will be employed to test, and to demonstrate to customers, future zero-carbon-emission energy systems.    

Further, the division is seeking to certify its “key” mtu engine models to operate using sustainable EN 15940 fuels by as soon as 2023. These include second-generation biofuels and e-diesel. 

These initiatives all form part of Rolls-Royce Power Systems ‘Net Zero at Power Systems’ climate protection programme. Under this, the division is seeking to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 35% (in comparison to 2019 levels) by 2030, through the use of new technologies. The ultimate aim is to achieve net-zero carbon emissions (or ‘carbon neutrality’) by 2050 – at the latest.