Rolls-Royce has announced successful tests of a 12-cylinder gas variant of the 4000 L64 series mtu engine. It is powered by 100% hydrogen.
According to the company, the tests, which are being conducted by its Power Systems business unit, show very good characteristics in terms of efficiency, power, emissions and combustion. The tests are an important step for Rolls-Royce on the way to the commercial introduction of hydrogen solutions.
Tobias Ostermaier, president - Stationary Power Solutions, Rolls-Royce Power Systems business unit, explains:
"This engine will serve the market demand for hydrogen solutions in the energy transition and will be available to our customers as a reliable and clean propulsion system for gensets and combined heat and power plants."
The first installation of mtu engines using 100% hydrogen is already planned for the enerPort II lighthouse project in the German inland port of Duisburg. It is part of the energy supply for a new container terminal.
Dr Jörg Stratmann, CEO - Rolls-Royce Power Systems, said:
"We see hydrogen as one of the central elements of the energy transition. It can be used both to store surplus energy and as a fuel for engines, fuel cells and combined heat and power plants to generate climate-neutral electricity and heat."
During periods of low demand and high renewable energy generation from wind or solar power, for example, the excess energy can be passed through an electrolyzer to convert water into hydrogen, which can later be used as a fuel for a variety of applications.
Technical improvements
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 CO2-neutral in the future. For already installed gas engines, Rolls-Royce offers a conversion solution.
Andrea Prospero, engineer at Rolls-Royce responsible for the development of the hydrogen engine, comments:
"We are very pleased with the rapid progress. The very low engine emissions are well below the strict EU limits, and no exhaust gas aftertreatment is required."
Due to the different combustion behavior of hydrogen compared to natural gas, some engine components, such as fuel injection, turbocharging, piston design and control, have been adapted. By using proprietary technologies such as mtu turbochargers, injection valves, and engine electronics and controls, he says, the company was able to advance development quickly and efficiently.
First site of operation: Duisport inland port
Duisport, one of the world's largest inland ports, is building a hydrogen-based supply network for its new terminal. It is scheduled to begin operations in the course of 2024. In the future, the port operator intends to generate most of the electrical energy required in the port itself on site from hydrogen.
This will be provided by two combined heat and power plants with mtu Series 4000 hydrogen engines (total installed capacity 2 MW) and three mtu fuel cell systems (total installed capacity 1.5 MW).
As part of its sustainability program, Rolls-Royce intends to focus the product portfolio of its Power Systems business unit on sustainable fuels and new technologies.
Rolls-Royce has announced successful tests of a 12-cylinder gas variant of the 4000 L64 series mtu engine. It is powered by 100% hydrogen.
According to the company, the tests, which are being conducted by its Power Systems business unit, show very good characteristics in terms of efficiency, power, emissions and combustion. The tests are an important step for Rolls-Royce on the way to the commercial introduction of hydrogen solutions.
