Rolls-Royce Power Systems AG , based in Friedrichshafen, and Lab1886 , the innovation lab within the Mercedes-Benz group, have agreed on a joint pilot project . Over the coming months, Rolls-Royce will develop an integrated concept for sustainable off-grid generation of continuous and emergency power using vehicle fuel cells under its product and solution brand MTU and focused on safety-critical applications such as data centers, which are among the biggest energy consumers.

MTU generator sets from Rolls-Royce are already in service at numerous data centers worldwide, providing emergency power when needed to safeguard global Internet traffic. To date, these generator sets have been diesel-engine based, but fuel cells could be a valid alternative. The pilot project will begin early next year and will include the construction of an emergency power plant for Rolls-Royce’s data center in Friedrichshafen. The plant will be based on fuel cell modules built by Mercedes-Benz Fuel Cell GmbH .