Rolls-Royce to produce hydrogen and methane from renewables
POWER & RENEWABLE ENERGY

Rolls-Royce to produce hydrogen and methane from renewables

Rolls-Royce Power Systems recently launched a flagship project, MethanQuest, that will produce hydrogen and methane from renewables.

The results include electrolysis systems for producing hydrogen, both on land and in offshore wind parks, equipment for producing methane, the use of gas engines in cars, ships and combined heat and power (CHP) plants, and concepts for energy systems that couple the transport, electrical power, gas and heating sectors. Common to all plants and processes is the integration of renewable energies. The German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) is providing some €19 million in funds to this project.

A total of six subprojects are working on the numerous research projects. The MethanFuel group is researching new processes for manufacturing methane out of renewables. All the technologies involved—from water electrolysis to CO2 extraction and methanation—have been examined and enhanced.

The process steps involved in turning hydrogen into e-methane were successfully demonstrated at DVGW and the Engler-Bunte-Institut, Teilinstitut Chemische Energieträger - Brennstofftechnologie (EBI ceb) of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, also first to conduct a long-term experiment in pulling CO2 from the air was conducted. A new plant has been put in place that is capable of producing 10 cu m of pure methane per hour.

In various sub-projects, the partners are working on engines capable of combusting gas made from renewables without producing harmful by-products. A car engine powered by e-methane which was built under the leadership of Ford is currently being put through its paces. Coordinated by Rolls-Royce Power Systems, an Otto gas engine fuelled by hydrogen is also being tested. The researchers found the positive result—hydrogen combustion produces low levels of noxious emissions.

The MethanMare group aims to demonstrate how fuels made from renewables could support the energy revolution in the maritime sector. It has also been shown that methanol combustion in large high speed engines gives rise to low contaminant emissions and zero methane emissions.

Another sub-project is on the MethanGrid, devised an e-methane storage and distribution system for Karlsruhe's Rhine port, and can be used to provide ships and trucks with liquefied natural gas (LNG). The system is also said to support the high-pressure gas network in Baden Württemberg for peak load coverage. The researchers have also developed a complete locally coupled energy supply system to serve the port.

E-methane can be produced using electricity made from renewable sources—otherwise known as the power-to-gas process. E-methane is said to be simple to store and use at a later date, thereby facilitating a CO2-neutral energy cycle. The MethanMare group aims to demonstrate how fuels made from renewables could support the energy revolution in the maritime sector.

Written from a company news release.

Image source

Your next big infra connection is waiting at RAHSTA 2025 – Asia’s Biggest Roads & Highways Expo, Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai. Don’t miss out!

Rolls-Royce Power Systems recently launched a flagship project, MethanQuest, that will produce hydrogen and methane from renewables. The results include electrolysis systems for producing hydrogen, both on land and in offshore wind parks, equipment for producing methane, the use of gas engines in cars, ships and combined heat and power (CHP) plants, and concepts for energy systems that couple the transport, electrical power, gas and heating sectors. Common to all plants and processes is the integration of renewable energies. The German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) is providing some €19 million in funds to this project. A total of six subprojects are working on the numerous research projects. The MethanFuel group is researching new processes for manufacturing methane out of renewables. All the technologies involved—from water electrolysis to CO2 extraction and methanation—have been examined and enhanced. The process steps involved in turning hydrogen into e-methane were successfully demonstrated at DVGW and the Engler-Bunte-Institut, Teilinstitut Chemische Energieträger - Brennstofftechnologie (EBI ceb) of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, also first to conduct a long-term experiment in pulling CO2 from the air was conducted. A new plant has been put in place that is capable of producing 10 cu m of pure methane per hour. In various sub-projects, the partners are working on engines capable of combusting gas made from renewables without producing harmful by-products. A car engine powered by e-methane which was built under the leadership of Ford is currently being put through its paces. Coordinated by Rolls-Royce Power Systems, an Otto gas engine fuelled by hydrogen is also being tested. The researchers found the positive result—hydrogen combustion produces low levels of noxious emissions. The MethanMare group aims to demonstrate how fuels made from renewables could support the energy revolution in the maritime sector. It has also been shown that methanol combustion in large high speed engines gives rise to low contaminant emissions and zero methane emissions. Another sub-project is on the MethanGrid, devised an e-methane storage and distribution system for Karlsruhe's Rhine port, and can be used to provide ships and trucks with liquefied natural gas (LNG). The system is also said to support the high-pressure gas network in Baden Württemberg for peak load coverage. The researchers have also developed a complete locally coupled energy supply system to serve the port. E-methane can be produced using electricity made from renewable sources—otherwise known as the power-to-gas process. E-methane is said to be simple to store and use at a later date, thereby facilitating a CO2-neutral energy cycle. The MethanMare group aims to demonstrate how fuels made from renewables could support the energy revolution in the maritime sector. Written from a company news release.Image source

Next Story
Real Estate

Vitizen Hotels Signs Deal at Manyata Tech Park

Vikram Kamats Hospitality, as part of its ongoing expansion in key metropolitan markets, announced that its material subsidiary, Vitizen Hotels, has signed a long-term lease agreement for a 45-key hotel property at Manyata Tech Park, Bengaluru.Strategically located in the city’s prominent IT hub, the property is well-positioned to serve corporate travelers, business professionals, and long-stay guests. The addition aligns with the company’s asset-light growth model, leveraging long-term leases to expand its footprint in high-demand urban markets.The hotel is expected to strengthen the comp..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

CONCOR Signs MoU with BPIPL to Operate Container Terminal at Bhavnagar Port

Container Corporation of India (CONCOR) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bhavnagar Port Infrastructure (BPIPL) on September 4, 2025, in New Delhi to operate and maintain the upcoming container terminal at the northside of Bhavnagar Port, Gujarat.BPIPL had earlier entered into an agreement with the Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) in September 2024 for the port’s development. Under this arrangement, 235 hectares of land has been leased to BPIPL for 30 years, with provision for expansion by an additional 250 hectares.The new terminal is expected to significantly enhance logistic..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Concord Launches India’s First Indigenous Zero-Emission Rail Propulsion

Concord Control Systems (CCSL), a leader in embedded electronics and critical rail technologies, has announced the development of India’s first fully indigenous zero-emission propulsion system, marking a significant step toward the country’s railway electrification and net-zero goals for 2030.Powered by Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries and featuring a DC chopper-based drive, the propulsion system eliminates idling losses common in diesel engines, offering higher efficiency, lower costs, and zero emissions.What sets this innovation apart is its completely indigenous design. Except for..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?