Pure methanol-burning high-speed marine engine developed under a German-funded research effort could be ready by the end of 2025.
Rolls-Royce reported testing what it claims is the world’s first high-speed marine engine powered by 100% methanol on its test bench in Friedrichshafen, Germany.
The tests were conducted with its partners in the meOHmare research project, Woodward L’Orange and WTZ Roßlau.
“This is a genuine world first,” said chief executive of Rolls-Royce Power Systems Dr Jörg Stratmann. “To date, there is no other high-speed engine in this performance class that runs purely on methanol.” Dr Stratmann said the engine designer is investing in technologies to support customers in their efforts to “reduce CO2 emissions and further expand our leading role in sustainable propulsion systems.”
The development aligns with Rolls-Royce’s ‘lower carbon’ strategic pillar of its multi-year transformation programme.
The joint project meOHmare is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy and combines the expertise of Rolls-Royce, injection system specialist Woodward L’Orange, and the WTZ Roßlau technology and research centre. The goal is to develop a concept for a CO2-neutral marine engine based on green methanol by the end of 2025.
Green methanol is considered one of the most promising alternative fuels for shipping. If it is produced using electricity from renewable energies in a power-to-X process, its operation is CO2-neutral. Compared with other sustainable fuels, methanol is easy to store because it is a liquid, biodegradable and results in significantly fewer pollutants than traditional fossil fuels.
Rolls-Royce pointed out methanol provides several challenges for engine builders: unlike diesel, liquid alcohol does not ignite spontaneously 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 head of methanol engine development in the Power Systems division at Rolls-Royce, Dr Johannes Kech. “Initial tests show that the engine is running smoothly – now it’s time for fine-tuning.”
“With this successful test run, we are sending a clear signal: green methanol is a future-oriented fuel – and the technology for it is here,” said Rolls-Royce senior vice president global marine Denise Kurtulus. “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 until green methanol is widely available.
“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 Ms Kurtulus.
