Beckmeyer Visits Rolls-Royce's MTU Research

Uwe Beckmeyer, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy paid a visit to MTU Reman Technologies in Magdeburg to find out more about the company’s development operations in the maritime sector.

The important role the Rolls-Royce subsidiary plays in shipping is in fact a two-fold one. Beckmeyer, who also acts as Federal Government Coordinator for the maritime industry said, "The use of gas engines in maritime applications will continue to grow in significance. Against the background of the energy turnaround in Germany, the Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy supports research into alternative drive systems. And when it comes to developing and testing new technologies, MTU is a very important partner."

Beckmeyer was accompanied on his visit by Andreas Steppuhn, the parliamentary party leader of the social democrats in Saxony-Anhalt. MTU is part of Rolls-Royce Power Systems.

"In terms of research and development, Magdeburg is a very important location for us," explained Dr Ulrich Dohle, President of the Power Systems division of Rolls-Royce, to Beckmeyer during his visit.

At the test stands in Magdeburg, future-generation engines are put through highly complex tests – for example of new combustion processes for diesel and gas engines. Achieving lower emissions and fuel consumption and higher engine output are the crucial criteria for researchers in Magdeburg. "In particular, the mobile gas engine as an eco-friendly propulsion solution for work boats, ferries and yachts is a top issue for the future," said Dohle.

"We are putting a lot of energy into driving mobile gas engine development on a big scale, working alongside shipyards, shipping companies and other players in the German maritime industry. In the years ahead, the gas engine will transform shipping the world over. If companies in Germany's maritime industry make a concerted effort, they can act as the driver behind this change, and strengthen and expand their position on the world market," said Dohle to Beckmeyer with conviction.

He also went on to emphasize that the gas engine as a concept for the future is about a lot more than just a different type of fuel with a different type of combustion. One of Rolls-Royce’s ambitions in Magdeburg is to build a new type of test stand for dynamic gas engines that has hitherto not been available on the market.

The second pillar at MTU Reman Technologies in Magdeburg is the industrial reconditioning of engines, also known as remanufacturing. At the end of their normal life-cycle, high-speed diesel engines carrying Rolls-Royce's MTU brand are put through a standardized process in which they are disassembled, their components cleaned and generally overhauled, and then re-assembled to form as-new engines. It takes just a few weeks for them to be got ready for re-installation, for example in a high-speed ferry or yacht, as well as in railway locomotives or generator sets.

"Magdeburg is centre of excellence for remanufacturing MTU engines," explained Wilfried Probian, general manager of MTU Reman Technologies. "MTU engines all around the world are reconditioned using the special reman processes developed by our engine experts," he said.