“Data centers are the nodes of the global information and communication network, whose vital importance has become particularly clear in these difficult times,” said Andreas Schell, CEO of Rolls-Royce Power Systems. “Under our MTU brand, we develop customized solutions, thousands of which we have already installed, for data centers’ individual, complex and growing energy needs
The technology cooperation will start before the end of 2020, with the aim of using fuel cell modules, such as those to be produced for commercial vehicles in the future, for stationary energy supply. Daimler and Rolls-Royce’s have been working together for many years on conventional drive systems and in December 2019 agreed to develop a demonstration plant for stationary power supply on the basis of fuel-cell modules from the automotive sector. The pilot plant will go into operation in Friedrichshafen by the end of this year.
Decarbonization of drive systems
Looking ahead, Rolly-Royce has singled out the decarbonization of drive systems and power supply as a central strategic goal of its PS2030 strategy, whereby fuel cells will play a key role.
“No other technology offers such high reliability, modular scalability and all the advantages of renewable energies without dependence on the conventional energy market,” Schell said, adding the cooperation with Daimler Trucks will give Rolls-Royce access to fuel-cell systems with the aim of strengthening the company’s position in this growth market.”
Daimler, Volvo to set up fuel-cells JV
In April, Daimler Truck and the Volvo Group agreed to set up a joint venture for the large-scale development, production and commercialization of fuel-cell systems for heavy-duty commercial vehicles and other applications.
Rolls-Royce said its Power Systems business unit “plans to rely on these fuel-cell systems from the planned joint venture – as well as Daimler’s many years of experience – in the emergency power generators it develops and distributes for data centers under the MTU product and solution brand.”
Supplement to battery-electric drive
Daimler Truck board chairman Martin Daum said the German vehicle maker sees fuel-cell systems as a supplement to battery-electric drive. Referring to the forthcoming JV with Volvo, he said: “With the agreement for stationary fuel-cell systems concluded, we are demonstrating very concrete opportunities for the commercialization of this technology.”
The latest cooperation agreement with Rolls-Royce, in his view, gives “further impetus for the development of a hydrogen infrastructure across all sectors and applications.”
Over the past two decades, Daimler has done research on fuel-cell technology at Mercedes-Benz Fuel Cell headquarters in Nabern, Germany, as well as at other production facilities in Canada. The aim is to start producing heavy-duty fuel-cell commercial vehicles for long-haul applications together with Volvo by 2025.
Fuel-cell systems for stationary power applications, meanwhile, can be produced already “at an earlier stage,” the company indicated, as specific requirements for use in transport on public roads do not apply.