What Does 2.5 MW Look Like?
This press release on the Rolls-Royce web site is entitled Rolls-Royce Generator Delivered For Most Powerful Hybrid-Electric Propulsion System In Aerospace.
This Rolls-Royce picture shows the generator installed on a test bed.
These are the first three paragraphs of the press release.
The generator that will be at the heart of the most powerful hybrid-electric aero power and propulsion system in aerospace has arrived for installation at our specialist testbed.
The generator, and related power electronics, was delivered to the newly-renovated Testbed 108 in Bristol, UK, from the Rolls-Royce facility in Trondheim, Norway, having completed an extensive development test programme. It will form part of the 2.5 megawatt (MW) Power Generation System 1 (PGS1) demonstrator programme, for future regional aircraft. In addition to hybrid-electric propulsion, the generator could also be used as part of a “more-electric” system for larger aircraft or within future ground or marine applications.
PGS1 forms an important element of our sustainability strategy, which includes developing innovative electrical power and propulsion systems.
I must say that as an engineer this 2.5 MW generator really excites me, as I see so many possibilities.
- I am fairly certain, that the generator can be powered by hydrogen, to create a true zero-carbon power generator.
- Rolls-Royce mention aerospace, ground and marine applications.
- The physical size must be an advantage, when it comes to some applications.
- The gas-turbine technology at the heart of the generator has been well-proven in the Lockheed Super Hercules.
But I do note in the press release that there is no mention of hydrogen or rail for which the generator must be eminently suitable.
- Rolls-Royce subsidiary; mtu are one of the leading companies, who power large rail locomotives.
- 2.5 MW is ideal for many rail locomotives.
- The small size must help integration into a rail locomotive.
- My calculations show that the generator and a hydrogen tank could be fitted into a typical modern rail locomotive.
- As electric transmissions can be used, the locomotive could also use electrification.
A lot of these arguments would also apply to the very large trucks used in the mining industries and ships of various sizes.
Conclusion
This Rolls-Royce 2.5 MW Generator will have lots of applications.
Biggest Mobile Hydrogen Fuel Cell In The World To Power Sergey Brin’s Mysterious Airship
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on Hydrogen Fuel News.
This is the introductory paragraph.
LTA Research and Exploration, the secretive and mysterious airship company owned by Google co-founder and former Alphabet President Sergey Brin, will use the biggest mobile hydrogen fuel cell in the world to power its disaster relief airship.
The size of the fuel cell appears to be 1.5 MW according to the Hydrogen Fuel News article.
The company has a web site with a title of The Future Off 21st Century Airships.
The web site talks about vision, focus and their response to Covid-19, so it is certainly not vapourware, although it seems to be more about building the team.
Conclusion
Sergey Brin has his heart in the right place
But he is ploughing a furrow, that has been attempted many times and sadly most attempts have ended in failure.
The Anonymous Widower 