Rolls-Royce Power Systems achieves 100% H2 operation

Rolls-Royce has stressed that the development of hydrogen solutions is focused on meeting emerging demand from the stationary energy sector, rather than the maritime sector. However, the successful tests represent another important step towards the commercial introduction of hydrogen solutions.

However, the first installation of the new engines running on 100% hydrogen is expected to take place at the enerPort II project, where it will generate climate-neutral energy for a planned container terminal at the inland port of Duisburg in Germany’s Ruhr region.

Tobias Ostermaier, President – Stationary Power Solutions, at Rolls-Royce business unit Power Systems noted that the the engine “will be available to our customers as a reliable and clean power source for gensets and combined heat and power plants.”

Dr Jörg Stratmann, CEO – Rolls-Royce Power Systems, added: “We see hydrogen as one of the central elements of the energy transition. It can be used for both storage of excess energy and as a fuel, not only for engines but fuel cells and cogeneration plants to generate climate-neutral electricity and heat.”

For several months, the mtu gas engine has been undergoing bench testing and continuous improvement in terms of efficiency, performance, emissions and combustion using 100% hydrogen as fuel. With green hydrogen, these mtu engines can be operated in a CO2-neutral manner in the future. 

Due to the different combustion behaviour of hydrogen compared to natural gas, some engine components including fuel injection, turbocharging, piston design and control, were modified in the test engine. Rolls-Royce noted that by using proven technologies within the Power Systems’ portfolio, such as mtu turbochargers, injection valves, and engine electronics and control, the development of the engine to use pure hydrogen was advanced rapidly and efficiently.