Rolls-Royce plc, a world leading provider of power systems and services for use on land, at sea and in the air, today announced that its fuel cell business has launched a subsidiary in the US. Fuel cells produce electricity from carbon-based fuels in a reaction rather like the reverse of a battery, and have extremely low emissions:
Rolls-Royce Fuel Cell Systems (US) Inc. has just formally established its US headquarters and technology center in Ohio and announced a partnership with Ohio-based American Electric Power (AEP).
Effective immediately, the company, will operate its business on the campus of the Stark State College of Technology, Canton, OH, where it will occupy the purpose-built Fuel Cell Prototyping Center constructed earlier this year.
Also announced, Rolls-Royce Fuel Cell Systems Inc. will team with AEP to test and evaluate prototype fuel cell systems at the Dolan Technology Center and Walnut Test Facility located near Columbus, OH.
Charles Coltman, Chairman and CEO of Rolls-Royce Fuel Cell Systems said: "Today's announcements underscore our focus on the future of fuel cell technology and continue our drive to develop highly efficient, cost effective and environmentally friendly power systems. Ohio is at the forefront of fuel cell development and demonstration, and we are delighted to be working with an industry leader such as AEP."
Rolls-Royce began research into fuel cell technology in 1992 and in 2003 it established Rolls-Royce Fuel Cell Systems Ltd. Last year, Rolls-Royce partnered with Singaporean consortium EnerTek to invest jointly US$100 million toward developing a commercially-viable power system based on fuel cell technology.
The company has also opened a new facility at Loughborough University in the UK to pilot the production of ceramic components for use in fuel cell systems.
More on Rolls-Royce fuel cells:
Fuel cells generate electricity by combining fuel and air in an electrochemical reaction. They were first demonstrated in the 19th century, but to date have always been relatively large and expensive to manufacture, depriving them of any real commercial applications.
By using its aerospace technology skills, Rolls-Royce has designed an electrical power system that integrates a solid oxide fuel cell with a micro turbine. This power system promises to be significantly more efficient than any conventional gas turbine or reciprocating engine, with far less impact on the environment. The current objective is a stationary power-generation system providing around 1 megawatt of electricity, for market delivery some time before the end of the decade.
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Related contacts
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Contact: Caroline Harris
Rolls-Royce plc
Tel: 011 44 207 227 9232
Email: caroline.harris@rolls-royce.com |
Caroline Harris
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