Rolls-Royce Validation Center for MTU Microgrids goes into service

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Rolls-Royce Validation Center for MTU Microgrids goes into service

10 October 2019

  • Autonomous power grids for the energy turnaround
  • Five million euros invested in demonstrator plant
  • MTU Plant 1 microgrid saves hundreds of tons of CO2

FRIEDRICHSHAFEN, GERMANY

Rolls-Royce has commissioned a Microgrid Validation Center for its MTU product and solution brand. Some 5 million euros have been invested in the center, which is located at the Friedrichshafen headquarters of the Rolls-Royce business unit Power Systems. Close-to-reality simulations of microgrids of various dimensions and configurations are to take place there.

Microgrids are small-scale local power networks in which various energy sources and storage systems e.g. solar cells, wind turbines, batteries, and diesel or gas-powered generator sets are integrated by means of a smart master controller. “Microgrids are indispensable to the energy turnaround because they reduce carbon emissions and use renewables in an eco-friendly way, yet still offer top levels of energy security,” said Andreas Schell, CEO of the Rolls-Royce Power Systems business unit. For many operators of on-site power networks – businesses and public utilities, as well as remote mines or large-scale farms – a microgrid is the ideal solution because it allows full or partial independence from the public grid. The green energy generated by the microgrid can also be fed into the public grid. “The microgrid has a special significance for our company,” pointed out Schell. “It's a symbol of our evolution from engine manufacturer to provider of integrated solutions. We've moved far beyond the realm of the engine and now have the capabilities to supply complete system packages and cover all their operational service needs.”

Rolls-Royce also runs its own microgrid at MTU Plant 1 in Friedrichshafen. This microgrid consists of photovoltaic panels with 500 kW peak power capacity installed on the roofs of the Validation Center and a neighbouring factory building, as well as gas-powered gensets, one diesel genset, and the new MTU battery container with 2 MW capacity developed in-house. “The battery container provides a resilient store of energy from renewables and is basically the center of the microgrid. The smart controller, which we also developed in-house, determines which source of energy is best to use in terms of cost at any given time so that savings are maximised,” explained Cordelia Thielitz, Vice President Microgrid division. Rolls-Royce can now generate by itself most of the power needed by MTU Plant 1 and also recovers waste heat emitted by the engines. That reduces CO2 emissions by several hundred tons per year.

These components also form an integral part of the Validation Center, where the function of microgrids individually configured to suit customer requirements can be demonstrated. Special transformers, invertors and switchgear in the new building simulate the function of other energy sources that can be integrated into a microgrid.

“This enables us to configure microgrids of various dimensions, capacities and layouts for our customers and show how they will function – also in relation to the wind and sun conditions prevailing at the ultimate location,” explained Armin Fürderer, director of customized energy solutions. The Validation Center capabilities reflect the diverse portfolio of MTU microgrids, which includes battery containers with capacities ranging from 50 kWh (sufficient for 50 machine washes) to 2 MWh (roughly the yearly power requirement of a single-person household). “Your can increase the capacity of your microgrid more or less as you wish, by using, for example, several battery containers, a bigger photovoltaic installation, or by adding on wind turbines and larger or extra generator sets,” explained Fürderer.

“We've recognized that the market is ready and waiting for this type of power generation,” said Andreas Schell. “Rolls-Royce isn't jumping on the bandwagon here – it's actively shaping the market. Our unrivalled engine expertise along with our high-tech capabilities in drive and energy systems have put us in a very strong position on the market. And we're getting plenty of enquiries now for customers seeking tailor-made microgrid solutions, which shows we've got it right. We're proud to have the Validation Center, which helps us serve our customers even better in their need for individual solutions,” said Schell.

Rolls-Royce is currently setting up another proprietary microgrid at its MTU facility in Aiken (South Carolina) which will cover the plant's electrical power demand using regenerative energy sources and make it less dependent on the public grid.

Press photos are available for download from www.rrpowersystems.com/press

Read more about Rolls-Royce power generation based on medium-speed engines at www.rolls-royce.com/bergen

About Rolls-Royce Holdings plc

  1. Rolls-Royce pioneers cutting-edge technologies that deliver clean, safe and competitive solutions to meet our planet’s vital power needs.
  2. Rolls-Royce Power Systems is headquartered in Friedrichshafen in southern Germany and employs around 11,000 people. The product portfolio includes MTU-brand high-speed engines and propulsion systems for ships, power generation, heavy land, rail and defence vehicles and for the oil and gas industry. Under the MTU Onsite Energy brand, the company markets diesel and gas systems and battery containers for mission critical, standby and continuous power, combined generation of heat and power, and microgrids. Medium-speed engines from Bergen power ships and power generation applications.
  3. Rolls-Royce has customers in more than 150 countries, comprising more than 400 airlines and leasing customers, 160 armed forces, 70 navies, and more than 5,000 power and nuclear customers.
  4. Annual underlying revenue was £15 billion in 2018, around half of which came from the provision of aftermarket services.
  5. In 2018, Rolls-Royce invested £1.4 billion on research and development. We also support a global network of 29 University Technology Centres, which position Rolls-Royce engineers at the forefront of scientific research.
  6. The Group has a strong commitment to apprentice and graduate recruitment and to further developing employee skills.

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Rolls-Royce develops and delivers complex power and propulsion solutions for safety-critical applications in the air, at sea and on land.







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