A five-company consortium led by Rolls-Royce is determined to prove hydrogen combustion engines will have a key role to play in the energy transition.

The recently launched Phoenix project seeks to develop a hydrogen engine to run combined heat and power (CHP) systems for stationary power generation. The aim is to generate the same electrical and thermal energy (power density and efficiency) as currently available through natural gas CHP units. That’s in the higher power range of up to 2.5 megawatts, Kallanish learns from Rolls-Royce.

Along with the “first-of-a-kind” prototype, the companies will work to develop all associated components including the injection system, piston group, ignition system and a new lubricant.

Rolls-Royce already developed a gas-powered combustion mtu engine which can use hydrogen as a fuel. However, the Phoenix project – which stands for Performance Hydrogen Engine for Industrial and X – seeks an “even more efficient” next-generation H2 engine.

Such engines would enable power plans to run in a “completely carbon neutral manner” when fuelled by green hydrogen, the firms say.

“We are convinced that combustion engines will remain an essential part of the provision of a reliable energy supply during the energy transition,” adds Jörg Stratmann, ceo of Rolls-Royce Power Systems.

The three-year project is funded by the German government with nearly €5 million ($5.3m). It includes Bosch, Mahle, Fuchs Lubricants, and the German research institute BAM.