Electrification | Rolls-Royce

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Decarbonising complex critical systems

Electrifying the future

We are developing low-emission electric and hybrid systems for transport, homes, defence, businesses and industry.

Powering sustainable growth

The global population is growing rapidly, as is the proportion of people living in urban areas.

The need for a disruptive approach to power is clear. More and more electricity is being generated from wind, solar, biomass and hydro power. Electrification, powered by renewables, provides opportunities for sustainable growth while delivering lower carbon emissions. It is a vital part of the solution to the climate crisis.

1 billion

projected global population increase by 2030

8.5 billion

projected global population increase by 2030

55%

Proportion of global population living in urban areas in 2018

68%

Projected proportion of global population living in urban areas in 2050

Electrification

As a world-class provider of electrical power and propulsion systems, we are championing electrification.

We are developing advanced electrically-powered transport solutions for land, sea and air, as well transforming how we power our homes, businesses and industry.

Electric motor for the CityAirbus demonstrator

Electric flight

Electrical power and propulsion will do more than drive down noise levels and carbon emissions, it will reduce the cost of operating aircraft too.


Our electric technology for motors, inverters, control systems and batteries have already completed test flights powering innovative aircraft concepts – including the world’s fastest all-electric vehicle, the Spirit of Innovation, and the world’s most powerful eVTOL demonstrator, the CityAirbus. Now, we are preparing to industrialize our electrical innovations to deliver certified products to the Advanced Air Mobility market, still within this decade.

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ACCELerating electric air travel

Through our ACCEL project, we have built the world’s fastest electric plane.

The zero-emission Spirit of Innovation single seater aircraft is powered by a unique 6000-cell battery pack. It has a range of about 200 miles on a single charge and has reached a maximum top speed of 623 km/h (387.4 mph).

The project, which was partly funded by the Aerospace Technology Institute, helped to develop our capabilities in delivering the electrification of flight, an important part of our sustainability strategy. ACCEL is the first Rolls-Royce project to offset its emissions and become carbon neutral.

MORE INFORMATION ON OUR ACCEL PROJECT



Defence tech transfer
We are working on pioneering electrical technology for the Tempest, a fighter aircraft concept that is due to play an important role in the UK's future combat air strategy from 2035.

Tempest will need to harness more electric power and handle higher thermal loads, while remaining stealthy.

Our starting point is our existing electrical starter generator fully embedded in the core of a gas turbine engine, known as the Embedded Electrical Starter Generator (E2SG) demonstrator. To this we have added a second electrical generator. Other advanced features include our intelligent control system, which makes real-time decisions about how to supply electrical demand while taking into account the need to reduce fuel burn and maximise efficiency.

Electrical and the MOD
There is a role for small electric power generation and propulsions systems for both crewed and autonomous Defence applications

We are seeing emerging requirements among a number of Air Forces for fully electric elementary trainer aircraft. The propulsion system used in the ACCEL test aircraft provides a credible configuration with the right power range to form the basis, in partnership with an appropriate airframer, to not only meet an MOD requirement but provide a certified platform. This platform could potentially meet the requirements of the global marketplace of would-be pilots who want to learn and operate in a sustainable way. In addition, requirements are also emerging for eVTOL type applications for military logistics as well as electric propulsion for Uncrewed Underwater Vehicles (UUVs) and Uncrewed Surface Vehicles (USVs).

The 'Nova Hybrid' by Heesen Shipyard

A 50m fast displacement yacht with twin MTU diesel engines and two 110 kW electric motors.

Beyond Aviation

We are working on hybrid-electric technologies in other sectors too.

Hybrid systems typically combine a diesel engine with an electric motor. They provide the flexibility to shift frequently between peak and lower power loads, while delivering low fuel consumption, high power levels and reduced emissions.

We have developed a range of hybrid-electric propulsion systems for the marine industry, with one of these providing the propulsion for Sailing Yacht A, the world’s largest sailing yacht.

MORE INFORMATION ON HYBRID SYSTEMS FOR SHIPS

MTU Hybrid PowerPack

On track for rail electrification

Rail companies are also increasingly demanding low-emission technologies. The UK rail network, for example, is looking to remove diesel-only trains by 2040.

Our groundbreaking Hybrid PowerPack combines an MTU diesel engine with an electric machine that can function as either a motor or a generator and an EnergyPack battery system to store energy recovered during braking.

Trains fitted with it have reduced fuel consumption and CO2 emissions of up to 25%. The Hybrid PowerPack can also support low-noise, emissions-free, battery-only electric operation.

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Creating sustainable solutions for global development

Just under 1 billion people worldwide do not have access to electricity.

Ensuring access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy services for all by 2030 is one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Most of those without electricity live in Africa. At present, only around 20 million people on the African continent are gaining access to electricity annually. Africa has an abundance of fossil fuel reserves, yet they are embracing sustainable solutions with three-quarters of new electrical generation coming from renewable sources. Driving the pace of electrification is vital to supporting this sustainable development, both in the continent and more widely.
Cobus van Schalkwyk, Managing Director Rolls-Royce Power Systems, Africa

“From our Rolls-Royce Power Systems base of operations in South Africa, we understand how important Africa’s rapid, sustainable development is to the global energy transition.”

Collaborating for an electric future

Electrification requires progress, not just on producing electrical components for power and propulsion systems, but also on their integration with current power supply and infrastructure.

Our people have the skills required to allow us to provide sustainable power and propulsion systems for a wide range of applications, but we need support.

New regulations, infrastructure management and cybersecurity systems will be required before some developing electric and hybrid-electric technologies can achieve lift off.

Collaborations between the private sector, academia, and governments will be needed to help develop the knowledge, technology and supply chains required. There are big challenges ahead, but ones we are ready and willing to face.

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