Rolls-Royce to deliver five greenhouse projects with new B36:45L gas engines

• Rolls-Royce B36:45 gas engines set new standard in power and efficiency with exceptionally low emission levels
• Five greenhouse projects will be handed over to customers in 2018
• Contracts include long-term service and maintenance agreements

Rolls-Royce has signed contracts for five greenhouse projects in Belgium and Netherlands to be powered by the new B36:45 L6 and L9 gas engines. These engines set a new standard in power and efficiency with exceptionally low fuel consumption and emissions of NOx, CO2, SOx and particulates. It offers a 20 per cent increase in power per cylinder compared to existing engines in the Rolls-Royce medium-speed range. The engines are produced at Bergen Engines AS, which is part of Rolls-Royce Power Systems.

Jeff Elliott, Managing Director of Bergen Engines said: “The B36:45 engine is defined by our customers and embodies over 70 years’ engine experience in a modern package. Our early sales success with this new generation of gas engines is a positive sign that it’s being well received in the market.”

The contracts comprise a total of seven engines which will provide heat and power to both new and existing greenhouses. Customers include MTS de Jong Francke in Holland, and VW Tuinderijen, Tuinbouwbedrijf Marc Pittoors (T.B.M.P), Tomato Masters and Tomw@tt in Belgium.

Marc Pittoors, CEO of T.B.M.P said: “For our tomato producing company, three factors were crucial in taking this decision: best electrical efficiency in the market, Rolls-Royce’s expertise with gas engines since the early 90’s being a pioneer in lean-burn technology, and optimum heat balance.”

Rolls-Royce will be supplying and installing the complete CHP systems for the five greenhouses, consisting of generating sets, sound enclosures, exhaust gas systems including SCR and heat recovery systems, and control and protection systems.

The electrical power produced will primarily be used for greenhouse grow lights or exported to the regional grids. Heat extracted from the exhaust gas and the engine’s cooling water system will provide heating, and cleaned CO2 from the engines will be injected into the greenhouses to boost plant growth. In total, the technology achieves efficiency levels of more than 96 per cent.

All five projects will be handed over to customers in 2018 and will be covered by long-term service and maintenance agreements with Rolls-Royce.

Read more about Rolls-Royce power generation based on medium-speed engines at www.rolls-royce.com/bergen