cellcentric and Rolls-Royce seal the deal for emission-free energy supply with fuel cells

cellcentric and Rolls-Royce join forces to develop CO2-neutral fuel cell systems for backup power in data centers. Commercial launch set for 2025, with pilot installations in 2023. Together, they accelerate the energy transition.

cellcentric and Rolls-Royce Launch Partnership for Emission-Free Energy Solutions – cellcentric

Stuttgart / Friedrichshafen – cellcentric and Rolls-Royce take the next step in their strategic cooperation for the use of cellcentric fuel cell modules. Rolls-Royce’s Power Systems division is developing CO2-free and climate-neutral mtu applications based on cellcentric fuel cells for emergency power supply for data centers, which emit only water vapor. Both partners agree that the technology and the time are now ripe for the successful commercial use of fuel cells in the high-volume mass market. A cooperation agreement to this effect has been concluded between the two companies, further joint applications of this future technology are under consideration. In general, the use of fuel cells is conceivable not only for emergency power supply, but also for covering peak loads and for continuous power supply.

In the future, the fuel cell aggregates with a net power of approx. 150 kW each will be the basis for scalable fuel cell systems in the megawatt range. This year’s commissioning of a demonstrator genset based on cellcentric fuel cell aggregates of the previous generation in a lower power class has already enabled initial tests, such as tests on dynamic behavior, wear, the integration of the fuel cell aggregates into the mtu genset, the analysis of the cooling as well as measurements on the interaction of several fuel cell aggregates. On the basis of the findings, continuous further development will be carried out aiming for the optimal integration of the cellcentric fuel cell aggregates into Rolls-Royce’s mtu gensets.

Still within this year, cellcentric is preparing to deliver further fuel cell prototype systems to Rolls-Royce. These are expected to be commissioned in 2022 in a further demonstrator unit before Rolls-Royce installs the first pilot systems at selected external customers in 2023. Commercial market launch of the series systems is already planned for 2025. Dr. Matthias Jurytko, CEO cellcentric: “The hydrogen-based fuel cell is a crucial building block to achieve the goal of a CO2-neutral society. With Rolls-Royce, we have an important partner at our side with whom we want to achieve further economies of scale to help the technology achieve a breakthrough. Our cooperation sends a clear signal to politicians and industry: both companies are convinced of the benefits of fuel cells and are working hard to commercialize them. The right framework conditions for this must therefore now be put in place. This applies in particular to the issue of infrastructure and thus the generation, storage and transport of hydrogen.”

Andreas Schell, CEO of Rolls-Royce Power Systems, emphasizes the extraordinary importance of the technology. “For us and our customers, gensets based on fuel cells are the next big step towards the energy revolution. We are investing a three-digit million sum in research and development for this over the next few years and hope that this strong commitment will encourage governments and politicians to promote and support this pioneering, extremely climate-friendly technology. As one of the world’s three largest suppliers of backup power for data centers, we will provide our customers with solutions that significantly reduce their carbon footprint. The cooperation with cellcentric will give us access to fuel cell aggregates that will further strengthen our position.”

Fully operational systems for series development – earlier series ramp-up possible

The cooperation with cellcentric offers Rolls-Royce the opportunity to use fuel cell aggregates from a leading manufacturer with a long history of development experience in the technology. The rapid deployment of a larger number of fuel cell units allows cellcentric to quickly ramp up series production of its own products for stationary applications. The use of cellcentric fuel cell aggregates in heavy-duty commercial vehicles of the parent companies Daimler Truck AG and Volvo Group is planned for the second half of the decade.

cellcentric develops, produces and markets fuel cell systems for use in heavy-duty commercial vehicles as its main focus, as well as for other application areas with similar requirements. cellcentric is a joint venture of Daimler Truck AG and the Volvo Group, founded in 2021. The company leverages the know-how and extensive experience from several decades of development work on fuel cells at its predecessor companies. cellcentric’s goal is to become a leading global manufacturer of fuel cells and thus contribute to climate-neutral and sustainable transportation by 2050.

cellcentric fuel cell prototypes for development of sustainable mtu power supply solutions for Rolls-Royce, Use of CO2-neutral supply for data centers, First prototypes on the test bench, pilot installations as early as 2023, Market launch in the middle of the decade, Delivery of numerous further cellcentric prototypes planned for this year

State government and Green party leader visit cellcentric: Politics and industry together for fuel cell technology

Environment Minister Thekla Walker and Green Party Leader Andreas Schwarz visited cellcentric to support plans for fuel cell mass production in Baden-Württemberg. Discussions focused on potential sites and the importance of the technology for climate-neutral heavy-duty transport.

State Government and Green Party Leader Visit cellcentric in Kirchheim/Teck-Nabern – cellcentric

Kirchheim/Teck-Nabern – cellcentric is consistently pushing ahead with the series production of fuel cells, with the goal of becoming a leading global manufacturer of fuel cells. In order to achieve this goal, cellcentric is striving to build a new production site for series production. In this context, the company is currently in an in-depth exchange with political representatives and local authorities in Baden-Württemberg in order to carry out a refined site evaluation of attractive possibilities.

The state government and the Green party leader of Baden-Württemberg also see cellcentric as one of the most important players in the transformation to climate-neutral heavy-duty transport in Baden-Württemberg. Mrs. Thekla Walker, Minister for Environment, Climate and Energy Management and Mr. Andreas Schwarz, Chairman of the Green Party in the State Parliament visited cellcentric at the Kirchheim/Teck-Nabern site. The subject of the meeting was the construction of a production facility for the planned cellcentric series production at possible locations in Baden-Württemberg.

With its visit, the Green party leader underlines its interest and support for fuel cell technology and its future role for the region of Baden-Württemberg. Andreas Schwarz emphasizes “We want to make Baden-Württemberg a technology-open, global pioneer for climate-neutral drives and digital networking. Fuel cell and hydrogen technology will play an important role in achieving climate protection goals in transportation.”

“We see the fuel cell as a key technology, particularly in heavy-duty transport. The rule of thumb is that the heavier the load and the longer the distance, the more suitable the fuel cell. Both the low weight of the fuel cell and the short refueling time to restore the range are comparable to the conventional diesel drive in heavy commercial vehicles,” explains Dr. Matthias Jurytko, CEO cellcentric. This gives cellcentric a significant role in achieving climate protection targets in heavy-duty transport. In addition to contributing to climate protection, cellcentric sees other opportunities for the region. “Setting up our series production in Baden-Württemberg is not only an opportunity to make the region a global pioneer for climate-neutral drives, but also an opportunity for new, high-quality jobs in our region,” says Prof. Dr. Christian Mohrdieck, Managing Director of cellcentric. 

To date, there has been no final decision on the choice of location for the subsequent series production.

“Our talks have confirmed that cellcentric and the state government of Baden-Württemberg are pulling in the same direction to make our business location fit for the future”, summarized Thekla Walker the conversation at the end.

cellcentric is a joint venture of Daimler Truck AG and the Volvo Group formed in March, 1st 2021 and takes advantage of the expertise and extensive experience from several decades of development work on fuel-cells at its predecessor companies. cellcentric’s ambition is to become a leading global manufacturer of fuel-cells, and thus help the world take a major step towards climate-neutral and sustainable transportation by 2050.

Mrs. Thekla Walker, Minister for Environment, Climate and Energy Management and Mr. Andreas Schwarz, Chairman of the Green Party in the State Parliament visited cellcentric at the Kirchheim/Teck-Nabern site.

cellcentric donates ventilation systems for kindergarten and school

Thanks to donations from cellcentric and other local companies, mobile air purification systems were provided to the kindergarten and primary school in Nabern, enhancing children's safety during the cold season and the pandemic.

cellcentric Donates Ventilation Systems to Kindergarten and School in Nabern – cellcentric

Thus, just in time for the start of the cold season, the two institutions, represented by Mrs. Ute Sauermann (deputy head) for the kindergarten and Mrs. Jeanette Kreißig (school management) for the elementary school, were able to receive the equipment. The support association of the kindergarten and the elementary school, which, in its function as a non-profit association, made itself available as a payment processor, was also very pleased about the local willingness to support the project.

For cellcentric, it is a matter of course to support the direct neighborhood. „The ongoing Corona situation affects us all. We would like to do our part to support the kindergarten and the elementary school in Nabern, which are also attended by the children of our employees,“ said Matthias Jurytko, CEO and managing director of cellcentric.

As a local company, Eberspächer GmbH was also happy to contribute in protecting the children in the two facilities in Nabern.

This also to the delight of Nabern’s local head Giacomo Mastro. „The directors of the two facilities approached me quite quickly after I started work in April with their request regarding the air filter units. Our common goal was to find a remedy at the beginning of winter, on site, independent of further support programs. The fact that this worked is of course very pleasing to me and shows the identification of the donor companies with the locality.“

Thanks to donations from three local companies from Kirchheim-Teck, including the fuel cell company cellcentric GmbH& Co. KG and the company Eberspächer GmbH, it was recently possible to purchase a mobile air purification system for both the Nabern kindergarten and the elementary school. They were delivered by Eberspächer Environmental Solutions GmbH, which also donated a part of the acquisition costs of the two devices.

Are you as excited about hydrogen and fuel cell technology as we are? Do you want to learn more about our work at cellcentric? We are here to help.

cellcentric donates ventilation systems for kindergarten and school

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cellcentric and Rolls-Royce seal the deal for emission-free energy supply with fuel cells

State government and Green party leader visit cellcentric: Politics and industry together for fuel cell technology