Rolls-Royce Power Systems, the Germany-based business of UK-based global major power and propulsion systems group Rolls-Royce, has announced that it is leading a consortium of German companies and research institutes, in a three-year joint project to develop a highly-efficient hydrogen combustion engine to drive stationary combined heat and power systems. The engine would be a “first-of-a-kind” development, stated the group.

“We are convinced that combustion engines will remain an essential part of the provision of a reliable energy supply during the energy transition,” explained Rolls-Royce Power Systems CEO Dr Jörg Stratmann. “We are making them climate-friendly with sustainable fuels. That’s why we at Rolls-Royce are investing in the development of the next generation hydrogen engines.”

The project has been designated Phoenix, which stands for Performance Hydrogen Engine for Industrial and X. The members of the Phoenix consortium are Rolls-Royce, which is also the project coordinator, the Institute for Sustainable Mobile Propulsion Systems at the Technical University of Munich, Fuchs Lubricants Germany, the (German) Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, and Germany-based global major engineering and technology group Robert Bosch. The project is being funded by Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection.

Among other things, the project involves the development of the injection system for the engine, as well as its ignition system and its piston group. It also involves the development of a totally new lubricant. By the end of Phoenix’s three-year development period, the technology concept will have been developed to the point that it can be used in a complete prototype engine. “The consortium in the Phoenix project, with its combined expertise, is a guarantee of the success in tackling this major technical challenge,” he affirmed.

Rolls-Royce already had a gas-powered mtu-brand combustion engine that can be fuelled with hydrogen. But the Phoenix engine will be the next generation of this concept, achieving greater efficiency.

“As soon as the availability of green hydrogen is ensured on a large scale, the technology of the highly efficient hydrogen cogeneration plants promoted in the Phoenix project will be ready for use,” assured Rolls-Royce Power Systems Stationary Power Solutions president Tobias Ostermaier.