Rolls-Royce Power Systems, a subsidiary of Rolls-Royce Holdings Plc (RR.L), is spearheading a consortium aimed at developing a cutting-edge hydrogen combustion engine under a project named Phoenix.
This initiative, funded by the German government and spanning three years, targets the creation of a highly efficient engine for combined heat and power (CHP) systems with capacities up to 2.5 MW.
The consortium, which includes Rolls-Royce, the Technical University of Munich's Institute for Sustainable Mobile Propulsion Systems, MAHLE Konzern, Fuchs Lubricants Germany GmbH, the German Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM), and Robert Bosch AG, will focus on various components essential for hydrogen combustion engines. These include the injection system, piston group, ignition system, and a novel lubricant.
Rolls-Royce Power Systems has already developed a gas-powered mtu engine capable of hydrogen operation. However, the Phoenix project aims to push the boundaries further by achieving even higher efficiency in next-generation hydrogen engines.
Joerg Stratmann, CEO of Rolls-Royce Power Systems, emphasized the role of combustion engines in ensuring reliable energy supply during the ongoing energy transition. “As soon as the availability of green hydrogen is ensured on a large scale, the technology of highly efficient hydrogen cogeneration plants promoted in the Phoenix project will be ready for use,” noted Tobias Ostermaier, president of Stationary Power Solutions at Rolls-Royce's Power Systems division.
