Rolls-Royce completes successful test of methanol marine engine

Methanol engine testbench (Photo: Rolls-Royce)

Rolls-Royce has reported successful testbench operation of what is billed as the world’s first high-speed marine engine powered exclusively by methanol.

The tests, completed with support from partners at the meOHmare research project, are said to be ‘an important milestone on the road to climate-neutral and environmentally-friendly propulsion solutions for shipping’.

“This is a genuine world first,” said Dr. Jörg Stratmann, CEO of Rolls-Royce Power Systems AG. “To date, there is no other high-speed engine in this performance class that runs purely on methanol. We are investing specifically in future technologies in order to open up efficient ways for our customers to reduce CO2 emissions and further expand our leading role in sustainable propulsion systems.”

Unlike diesel, liquid alcohol (methanol) does not spontaneously ignite and requires a completely new injection technology. “We have fundamentally redesigned the combustion process, the turbocharging, and the engine control system – and even adapted our test bench infrastructure,” explained Dr. Johannes Kech, Head of Methanol Engine Development in the Power Systems division at Rolls-Royce.

Green methanol is considered one of the most promising alternative fuels for shipping. If it is produced using electricity from renewable energy in a power-to-X process, it offers CO2-neutral operation. 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 a high energy density compared to other sustainable energy sources,” said Denise Kurtulus. Head of Global Marine and Mining Business at Rolls-Royce Power Systems.

Rolls-Royce has a goal to offer customers efficient ways to reduce their CO2 emissions, inline with the ‘Lower Carbon’ pillar of its multi-year transformation programme. The project also aligns with the strategic initiative in Power Systems to grow the marine business.