Rolls-Royce has officially opened a new assembly plant for its mtu Series 2000 engines in Kluftern near Friedrichshafen, Germany, which the company says highlights the continuing role that the internal combustion engine is set to play in the energy transition through the use of sustainable fuels.
The new facility has involved a mid-double-digit million-euro investment in the future of this technology, creates space for assembly and shipping. The assembly of mtu Series 2000 engines will be relocated to Kluftern, enabling the modernisation of the existing assembly halls in Rolls-Royce’s Plant 2 in Friedrichshafen, which will provide long-term production space for the Series 4000 engine. The Kluftern plant currently employs 110 people.
The new production building has been designed to be highly energy-efficient and climate-friendly, with a 1.2MW-peak photovoltaic system providing green electricity, and equipped with e-charging columns and an intelligent building control system alongside other equipment measures to ensure energy-efficient operation.
Dr Jörg Stratmann, CEO, Rolls-Royce Power Systems, said: “Our investments are a clear commitment to the region and to our products and solutions, which are important building blocks of the energy transition in various application areas. We are convinced that, in conjunction with sustainable fuels and new technologies, the internal combustion engine will play a central role in the future. Because it’s the fuel that matters, not the engine.”
Rolls-Royce is focusing on developing engines that can run on a wide range of sustainable fuels, replacing fossil fuels and significantly reducing CO2 emissions. In addition, the company has launched hybrid systems for applications including shipping, as well as intelligent automation systems. This will enable provision of climate-friendly propulsion technologies in the future for applications including commercial ships, where complete electrification is not an optimal solution.
Renewable diesel (HVO/hydrogenated vegetable oil) is seen as an important step on the road to decarbonisation. Many mtu engines from Rolls-Royce have already been released for use with this sustainable fuel. HVO enables up to 90% CO2 reduction as well as reducing particulate and NOx emissions. It can be produced on an industrial scale from hydrogenated vegetable oil and waste materials from the catering and food industries.
Stratmann said: “We are doing everything we can to make the internal combustion engine climate-neutral with sustainable fuels and in combination with new technologies. But this can only be achieved if the political framework conditions are set so that alternative fuels can be successfully ramped up.”
