Technology giant Rolls-Royce with its Power Systems business has set up a new organisational unit ‘Power Lab’ to focus on innovative and net zero carbon drive and energy solutions for the marine and infrastructure sectors.
The Power Lab will concentrate on the development of technologies focused on fuel cell systems and the production and deployment of synthetic fuels.
The Power Lab is an important milestone on the company’s path to a climate-neutral future, said Andreas Schell, CEO of Rolls-Royce Power Systems.
One of the new technologies on the Power Lab’s agenda involves producing and deploying fuels based on renewable energies (Power-to-X).
Synthetic fuels can support the net zero carbon operation of both today’s existing drive and energy systems and those of the future, in addition to enabling the storage of renewables-based energies. We believe in this technology and are keen to endorse its development in collaborations and research projects,
…explained Dr Arne Schneemann, responsible for pre-development in the Power Lab team.
We’re placing the emphasis on improved efficiencies, alternative fuels, electrification, digitalization and integrated system solutions with the aim of continually enhancing the eco-friendliness of our drive and energy systems and bringing them closer to their CO2 neutrality,
…he said.
The Power Lab has also set its sights on the use of fuel cells in power generation and marine propulsion.
In terms of overall efficiency, the fuel cell is the undisputed front-runner and on top of that generates ultra-low to zero emissions. That makes it a highly attractive option for contributing to the decarbonisation of drive systems and power generation,
…said Dr Philippe Gorse, whose team is responsible for conceptual work on the fuel cell in the Power Lab.
