Rolls-Royce Power Systems has unveiled the world’s first high-speed engine that runs solely on methanol. The technology for the combustion of methanol is there, now the framework conditions are missing.
When it comes to the use of methanol in marine propulsion systems, the Friedrichshafen-based company Rolls-Royce Power Systems was a pioneer. The company has now successfully tested the first high-speed marine engine. According to the company, this is the first in the world.
The test on the test bench in Friedrichshafen was carried out as part of the “meOHmare” research project. “This is a real world first,” says Jörg Stratmann, CEO of Rolls-Royce Power Systems AG. “To date, there is no other high-speed engine in this power class that runs purely on methanol. We are making targeted investments in future technologies to open up efficient ways for our customers to reduce CO2 emissions and further expand our leading role in sustainable drive systems.”
The meOHmare joint project is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. In addition to Rolls-Royce, the injection system specialist Woodward L’Orange and the Technology and Research Center WTZ Roßlau were involved in the project. The aim of the project is to develop a fully comprehensive concept for a CO2-neutral marine engine based on green methanol by the end of 2025.
“Liquid alcohol does not ignite”
According to Rolls-Royce, methanol presents engineers with new challenges. The reason for this is that the liquid alcohol does not ignite by itself like diesel and requires a completely newly developed injection technology. “We have fundamentally redesigned the combustion process, turbocharging and engine control – and even adapted our test bench infrastructure,” explains Johannes Kech, Head of Methanol Engine Development in the Power Systems Division at Rolls-Royce. “The first tests show: The engine runs stably – now it’s all about fine-tuning.”
Framework conditions must be created
Denise Kurtulus, Senior Vice President Global Marine at Rolls-Royce, is someone who is already in favor of the use of methanol in shipping: “With the successful test run, we are sending a clear signal: green methanol is a sustainable fuel – and the technology is there.”
The single-fuel methanol engine is an attractive solution, especially for operators of ferries, yachts or supply vessels who want to reduce their carbon footprint. The task now is to create the framework conditions for wider use.
At the same time, Rolls-Royce is working on a dual-fuel concept that can use both methanol and diesel – a bridging technology as long as green methanol is not yet widely available.
Methanol as the fuel of the future?
According to Rolls-Royce, green methanol is one of the most promising alternative fuels for shipping. If it is produced using electricity from renewable energies in the Power-to-X process, operation is CO2-neutral, according to the drive manufacturer. Compared to other sustainable fuels, methanol is easy to store, biodegradable and causes significantly fewer pollutants.
“For us, methanol is the fuel of the future in shipping – clean, efficient and climate-friendly. It burns with significantly lower emissions than fossil fuels and has an impressively high energy density compared to other sustainable energy sources,” says Denise Kurtulus.
