Rolls-Royce and INERATEC Target Cleaner Data Centre Power
Rolls-Royce Power Systems has joined forces with INERATEC to advance sustainability in the data centre sector.
The partnership focuses on transitioning from traditional fossil diesel to synthetic e-Fuels for emergency power systems, addressing critical sustainability concerns.
Synthetic e-Fuels, derived from renewable hydrogen and captured CO₂, provide a low-emission alternative for diesel generators, crucial for maintaining data centre operations during grid failures.
The increasing demand for power, driven by AI applications, highlights the necessity for sustainable solutions, as many data centres have integrated renewable energy for primary use but continue to rely on diesel for backup, posing a sustainability challenge.
"mtu backup generators from Rolls-Royce are already approved for operation with sustainable fuels,” explains Tobias Ostermaier, President Stationary Power Solutions at Rolls-Royce Power Systems.
He adds: “Customers in the critical infrastructure sector, such as data centres, who are aiming to reduce their carbon footprint, will soon also be able to use e-Fuels. We are committed to the use of e-Fuels in data centres together with INERATEC."
Understanding e-fuels
INERATEC’s synthetic e-Diesel utilises the Power-to-X process, harnessing renewable electricity to produce hydrogen through electrolysis, which is then combined with captured CO₂ to create liquid fuel.
This innovative approach results in synthetic diesel with significantly lower lifecycle emissions compared to traditional fossil fuels.
The company’s ERA ONE facility in Frankfurt facilitates rapid deployment with a short supply chain.
Certified under the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) framework, these e-Fuels can be implemented in existing generator systems without hardware changes.
Maximilian Backhaus, Chief Commercial Officer at INERATEC, says: "The secure energy supply for AI-powered data centres is one of the defining challenges of our time."
He adds: “Our e-Fuels offer a climate-neutral solution that is scalable, dependable and ready for immediate deployment. Together with Rolls-Royce, we’re bringing this solution to the places where it’s needed most — starting now."
Decarbonising critical infrastructure
Diesel backup systems, essential for maintaining Tier III and Tier IV uptime standards in data centres, disproportionately contribute to emissions.
Although infrequently used, they must remain operationally ready, perpetuating carbon-intensive practices.
The collaboration between Rolls-Royce and INERATEC introduces a sustainable alternative, allowing operators to maintain existing systems while removing a significant source of embedded carbon.
This e-Fuel initiative supports reducing direct Scope 1 emissions, addressing regulatory and investor pressures for more comprehensive decarbonisation strategies.
By integrating INERATEC’s fuel into mtu-branded generators, Rolls-Royce offers a sustainable turnkey solution for enhancing the environmental credentials of backup infrastructures.
The implementation will commence in Germany with plans to expand internationally, aligning with industry demands for full lifecycle decarbonisation.
Scaling and standardisation
The partnership aims for broader international application, contingent on fuel availability from INERATEC’s Frankfurt facility.
Future expansions will align with data centre developments in regions with escalating digital infrastructure needs and rigorous sustainability targets.
Rolls-Royce’s established client base and INERATEC’s scalable production capabilities position the collaboration to meet increased sustainability demands across the industry.
This partnership reshapes emergency power strategies, introducing synthetic fuels that meet resilience, environmental and sustainability objectives.
