The PEM fuel cell is structured like a sandwich. In the centre is a thin plastic film, the Proton Exchange Membrane (or PEM). This membrane is coated on both sides with a thin catalyst layer and a gas permeable electrode made of graphite paper. The membrane is surrounded by two so called bipolar plates into which gas ducts have been milled. Through these gas ducts flows hydrogen on the one side, and oxygen on the other. Several of these individual fuel cells can be stacked one behind the other to create a so-called fuel cell stack, thus forming a powerful energy source to drive the vehicle.
Daimler Truck AG and Rolls-Royce plc plan to cooperate on stationary fuel-cell generators as CO2-neutral emergency power generators for safety-critical facilities such as data centres. They are to offer emission-free alternatives to diesel engines, which are currently used as emergency power generators or to cover peak loads.
In April, Daimler Truck AG and the Volvo Group signed a preliminary, non-binding agreement to establish a new joint venture for the large-scale development, production and commercialisation of fuel-cell systems for heavy-duty commercial vehicles and other applications. The Rolls-Royce Power Systems business unit plans to rely on these fuel-cell systems from the planned joint venture – as well as Daimler‘s many years of experience – in the emergency power generators it develops and distributes for data centres under the MTU product and solution brand. At the end of last year, Rolls-Royce Power Systems and Lab1886, Daimler‘s innovation unit for new business models, agreed on a pilot project to develop a demonstrator for the use of this technology for stationary power supply on the basis of fuel-cell modules from the automotive sector. It will go into operation in Friedrichshafen by the end of this year.
“For Daimler Truck AG, fuel-cell systems play a decisive role in achieving CO2-neutral transport – as a supplement to battery-electric drive. Just at the end of April, we announced our intention to establish a joint venture with the Volvo Group. With the agreement for stationary fuel-cell systems concluded, we are already demonstrating very concrete opportunities for the commercialisation of this technology through the joint venture,” stated Martin Daum, chairman of the board of management of Daimler Truck AG and member of the board of management of Daimler AG.
“We are delighted that Rolls-Royce is as convinced as we are of the future of fuel cells in the stationary sector and would like to enter into this long-term cooperation with us. On the one hand, this represents further impetus for the development of a hydrogen infrastructure across all sectors and applications; on the other hand, it will enable us to work together to further increase the economy of fuel cells, as well as society‘s acceptance of and confidence in them,” continued Daum.
Rolls-Royce Power Systems CEO Andreas Schell said data centres are the nodes of the global information and communication network, and their operation must be reliably safeguarded.
“The same applies to other safety-critical systems. Under our MTU brand, we develop customised solutions, thousands of which we have already installed, for data centres‘ individual, complex and growing energy needs. The decarbonisation of drive systems and power supply is one of our central strategic goals and fuel cells will play a key role in this. No other technology offers such high reliability, modular scalability and all the advantages of renewable energies without dependence on the conventional energy market. Through the cooperation with Daimler Trucks, we will gain access to fuel-cell systems that meet our demanding requirements and will thus further strengthen our outstanding position in this growth market.”
Daimler Truck AG and the Volvo Group plan to start large-scale production of heavy-duty fuel-cell commercial vehicles for demanding and heavy long-haul applications in the second half of the decade. However, the fuel-cell systems for stationary applications can be produced in series by the planned joint venture between Daimler Truck AG and the Volvo Group at an earlier stage, as the specific requirements for use in transport on public roads do not apply.
