Rolls-Royce to produce hydrogen and methane from renewables

19 Mar 2021 CW Team

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

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

Infrastructure Urban

07 Nov 2025

Welspun Enterprises Wins 910 MLD Panjrapur WTP Contract

Welspun Enterprises (WEL), the infrastructure and energy arm of Welspun World, has secured a major contract from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to design, build and operate a 910 million litres per day (MLD) Water Treatment Plant (WTP) at Panjrapur, Maharashtra.Valued at approximately Rs 31.45 billion, the project encompasses end-to-end civil, mechanical, electrical and instrumentation works, including the construction of a treated water sump and pumping station. Of the total value, nearly Rs 11.56 billion is allocated to Operations & Maintenance (O&M), with an additional..

Infrastructure Energy

07 Nov 2025

Mitsubishi Power Wins Boiler Upgrade Contract for O Mon 1 Plant

Mitsubishi Power, a power solutions brand of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, (MHI), has been awarded a contract to support the oil-to-natural-gas fuel conversion at the O Mon 1 Thermal Power Plant in Can Tho, southern Vietnam. As the OEM of the plant’s existing boiler, Mitsubishi Power will supply key equipment—including new gas burners—and implement a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system to reduce NOx emissions and help the plant meet stricter environmental standards.The O Mon 1 facility includes two 330 MW units that commenced operations in 2009 and 2015, with all major equipment or..

Equipment

07 Nov 2025

Liebherr’s 10,000th XPower Wheel Loader Joins BERGER’s Fleet

BERGER Rohstoffe GmbH has welcomed the 10,000th Liebherr XPower wheel loader to its operations at the Schlag granite quarry in Passau. The milestone machine, officially handed over at Liebherr’s Bischofshofen plant in May 2025, underscores the long-standing partnership between BERGER, Liebherr, and the Beutlhauser Group. Equipped with Liebherr’s signature power-split travel drive, the new L 580 XPower is already delivering strong results under demanding quarry conditions.At the Schlag quarry, BERGER Rohstoffe processes approximately 200,000 tonnes of Bayerwald granite annually into high-qu..