Rolls-Royce and Duisport launch CO2-neutral, self-sufficient energy system for new port terminal

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Rolls-Royce and Duisport launch CO2-neutral, self-sufficient energy system for new port terminal

08 July 2025

Rolls-Royce and Duisburger Hafen AG opened a self-sufficient and CO2-neutral energy system for the new Duisburg Gateway Terminal on July 8, 2025. Rolls-Royce supplied two mtu H2 combined heat and power plants, an mtu EnergyPack battery storage system and two mtu fuel cell systems. Pictured at the opening ceremony (from l. to r.): Markus Bangen (CEO of duisport), Viktor Haase (Chairman of the Supervisory Board of duisport and State Secretary in the Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, and Transport of North Rhine-Westphalia), Prof. Dr. Manfred Renner, Head of the Fraunhofer Institute UMSICHT, Michael Stipa (Senior Vice President Business Development & Product Management Stationary Energy Solutions at Rolls-Royce), Armin Fürderer (Vice President Sustainable Customer Solutions Rolls-Royce) and Alexander Garbar (Head of Corporate Development duisport).
  • First mtu hydrogen CHP units, battery storage systems and fuel cell systems from Rolls-Royce in operation
  • Benchmark for sustainable energy supply in logistics centers worldwide

Rolls-Royce and Duisburger Hafen AG have opened a CO2-neutral and self-sufficient energy system for the new Duisburg Gateway Terminal, located in the Rhine-Ruhr industrial region of Germany. The core components are two mtu combined heat and power units designed for operation with 100 percent hydrogen, which are being used here for the first time worldwide. The system is supplemented by an mtu battery storage system, mtu fuel cell systems and a photovoltaic system integrated via an intelligent energy management system.

The Enerport II flagship project, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, is setting new standards for sustainable energy supply in large logistics centers and is considered a model for other ports, infrastructure projects and industrial facilities. Project partners include the Fraunhofer Institute UMSICHT, Westenergie Netzservice GmbH, Netze Duisburg GmbH, Stadtwerke Duisburg AG, and Stadtwerke Duisburg Energiehandel GmbH.

“The launch of this carbon-neutral energy system at the Duisburg Gateway Terminal is a big step toward a more climate-friendly, resilient energy supply. Together with our partner duisport, we're showing how scalable technologies from Rolls-Royce can really help transform critical infrastructure - and help make the energy transition happen,” said Dr. Jörg Stratmann, CEO of Rolls-Royce Power Systems.

CO2-neutral energy supply – a competitive advantage

Rolls-Royce and Duisburger Hafen AG opened a self-sufficient and CO2-neutral energy system for the new Duisburg Gateway Terminal at the beginning of July 2025. Rolls-Royce supplied two mtu H2 combined heat and power plants, an mtu EnergyPack battery storage system, and two mtu fuel cell systems. The picture shows the new terminal in the Port of Duisburg, which covers an area equivalent to 33 soccer fields.

CO2-neutral energy supply – a competitive advantage

“Sustainability is an integral part of our corporate strategy that compels us to act responsibly and with a view to the future. With this self-sufficient and CO2-neutral energy system, we also have a clear competitive advantage,” explained Markus Bangen, CEO of Duisburger Hafen AG.

Part of the energy for the new Duisburg Gateway Terminal, which covers an area equivalent to 33 soccer fields in the Port of Duisburg, is supplied by a 1.3 MWp photovoltaic system. Surplus electricity is stored in the mtu EnergyPack and then made available when the sun is not shining. This increases the PV system’s own consumption and reduces peak loads. When little or no electricity is produced by photovoltaics, the hydrogen-powered mtu fuel cell systems and mtu hydrogen combined heat and power plants supply CO2-neutral electricity and heat.

An intelligent energy management system links the various energy systems and storage facilities to supply consumers at the terminal, including crane systems, charging stations and shore power. In addition, the future supply of adjacent neighborhoods is also being considered in theory. “Our microgrid is running reliably and shows that it is possible to supply such a large port terminal completely independently with green energy,” explained Alexander Garbar Head of Corporate Development duisport.

Milestone for Rolls-Royce: first 100% hydrogen-powered CHP units in use

Rolls-Royce has delivered the first mtu hydrogen CHP units, an mtu battery storage system, and mtu fuel cell systems for the world's largest inland port in Duisburg. The flagship Enerport II project sets new standards as it represents a CO2-neutral, self-sufficient energy supply that can serve as a model for other large ports, infrastructure projects, and industrial facilities.

Milestone for Rolls-Royce: first 100% hydrogen-powered CHP units in use

With its flagship Enerport project, Rolls-Royce is deploying its first two advanced 12-cylinder mtu Series 4000 gas engines for CO2-neutral energy supply using 100% hydrogen as fuel. In Duisburg, they are demonstrating excellent performance, efficiency and emissions characteristics. Each engine delivers the desired total output of one megawatt. That is only the start: Rolls-Royce is working with five partner companies and research institutes to develop advanced technologies for even more efficient hydrogen combustion engines. These are intended to generate the same electrical energy as currently available natural gas CHP units in the larger output range (up to 2.5 MW).

Reliable and flexible gas engine power plants as the backbone for the energy transition until hydrogen is available

As part of its expansion of renewable energies, the German federal government has decided on a power plant strategy that includes the necessary construction of additional gas-fired power plants. Modular gas-fired power plants and smaller, decentralized, gas engine plants are especially flexible and can compensate for fluctuations in wind and solar power feed-in to the grid and contribute efficiently to ensuring security of supply. In many places in Europe, mtu gas engines from Rolls-Royce already ensure reliable power and heat supply. In the UK, a fleet of more than 500 mtu gas gensets is already supporting the British energy transition. “As soon as sufficient green hydrogen is available, mtu gas engines, such as those in Duisburg, can also make a significant contribution to reducing CO2 emissions by running on 100 percent hydrogen or a hydrogen blend,” explained Michael Stipa, Vice President Business Development and Product Management for Stationary Energy Solutions at Rolls-Royce.

Data CO2-neutral energy system Duisburg Gateway Terminal

Electricity demand: 3,500 MWh/a (for 6 crane systems in the final stage (currently 3), 4 shore power terminals, car charging stations, buildings, lighting, small consumers)

Heat requirement: 77 MWh/a

PV system:

Output: 1.3 MWp

Electricity generation: 1,123 MWh/a

Area: approx. 10,000 m2

1 mtu EnergyPack battery storage:

Electrical output: 1.5 MW

Capacity: 1.6 MWh

2 H2 CHP units based on 2 x 12V4000 mtu engines:

Electrical output: 2 x 931 kW

Power Output: 2 x 748 kW

2 H2 mtu fuel cell systems:

Type: PEM fuel cells

Electrical power: 2 x 600 kW

Imagery is available for download from: Media Center (mtu-solutions.com)

Further information can be found in our website story

See also the video on the new CO2-neutral energy system in the Port of Duisburg

About Rolls-Royce Holdings plc
  1. Rolls-Royce is a force for progress; powering, protecting and connecting people everywhere. Our products and service packages help our customers meet the growing need for power across multiple industries; enable governments to equip their armed forces with the power required to protect their citizens; and connect people, societies, cultures and economies together.
  2. Rolls-Royce has a local presence in 48 countries and customers in over a hundred more, including airlines and aircraft leasing companies, armed forces and navies, and marine and industrial customers.
  3. Through our multi-year transformation programme, we are building a high-performing, competitive, resilient and growing Rolls-Royce. We are building the financial capacity and agility to allow us to successfully develop and deliver the products that will support our customers through the energy transition.
  4. Annual underlying revenue was £17.8 billion in 2024, and underlying operating profit was £2.46 billion.
  5. Rolls-Royce Holdings plc is a publicly traded company (LSE: RR., ADR: RYCEY, LEI: 213800EC7997ZBLZJH69)5.
  6. Rolls-Royce Power Systems is headquartered in Friedrichshafen in southern Germany and employs more than 10,350 people. The product portfolio includes mtu-brand high-speed engines and propulsion systems for ships, heavy land, rail and defence vehicles and for the oil and gas industry. The portfolio also includes diesel and gas systems and battery containers for mission critical, standby and continuous power, combined generation of heat and power, and microgrids. With its climate friendly technologies, Rolls-Royce Power Systems is helping to drive the energy transition.

www.rolls-royce.com

About Duisport

Duisburger Hafen AG (duisport) operates the world's largest inland port. duisport functions as a trimodal logistics hub and is one of the most important hubs for the flow of goods throughout Europe. Every year, more than 20,000 ships and 25,000 trains are handled in Duisburg, with more than 100 million tons of of goods and around four million containers (TEU) being transshipped. The Port of Duisburg has 21 harbor basins, 10 container terminals, and approximately 200 kilometers of its own rail tracks.

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