Rolls-Royce, the UK-based global major power and propulsion systems group, has announced that it is partnering with Switzerland-based carbon dioxide and dry ice company ASCO Carbon Dioxide (ASCO) and UK-based clean energy transition enterprise Landmark Power Holdings (LMPH) to develop scalable solutions for clean power generation. Specifically, they will work together to develop solutions for carbon capture from Germany-based Rolls-Royce Power System’s mtu-brand gas-powered reciprocating engines.

The intent is to help customers for mtu gas reciprocating engines reach their net-zero carbon emissions targets, and so help address climate change. The aim is to capture the carbon dioxide (CO₂) emitted by the engines and then use it as a feedstock for a wide range of industries. These would include food production, cement, plastics, e-fuels and sustainable aviation fuel. Alternatively, the CO₂ could be transported and sequestered.

“Power generation is a highly attractive, growing market segment and an area of strategic focus for Rolls-Royce, where partnerships can help further grow market position and broaden its power generation offering,” explained Rolls-Royce Power Systems Stationary Power Solutions president Tobias Ostermaier. “We are convinced that CO₂ capture and storage systems in combination with our mtu gas gensets are an important building block on the way to Net Zero. As a complement to renewable energy sources, internal combustion engines can already provide clean, cost-effective and extremely reliable power generation.”

To the partnership, Rolls-Royce will be contributing its great experience and global network in the realm of decentralised power generation, by means of Power Systems and its mtu product range. ASCO has more than 50 years of experience in the development and construction of carbon capture or recovery plants. And LMPH is contributing its patented modular FLEXPOWER PLUS concept, which incorporated both flexible high efficiency power generation and carbon capture utilisation modules, plus other patented technologies and technical expertise. 

“This partnership is an important milestone in our collective mission to combat climate change and promote clean energy practices,” affirmed LMPH founder and MD Mick Avison.

“We want to serve hard-to-abate industries with a cost-effective solution and this cooperation is a huge step into the right direction,” stated ASCO CEO Ralph Spring.

The first plant that will combine natural-gas-powered mtu engines with the FLEXPOWER PLUS clean energy architecture and ASCO carbon capture technology is already under construction. This is in the UK, in the English county of Nottinghamshire. This plant will feed power into the UK electricity grid while converting the concomitant CO₂ emissions into food grade CO₂.