Rolls-Royce launches fuel cell business

announced recently that its fuel cell business has launched a subsidiary in the

. Rolls-Royce Fuel Cell Systems (US) Inc formally established its

headquarters and technology center in

and announced a partnership with Ohio-based

(AEP).

Effective immediately, Rolls-Royce Fuel Cell Systems will operate its business on the campus of the Stark State College of Technology, Canton, Ohio, where it will occupy the purpose-built Fuel Cell Prototyping Center constructed earlier this year.

Rolls-Royce Fuel Cell Systems will team with AEP to test and evaluate prototype fuel cell systems at the Dolan Technology Center and Walnut Test Facility located near Columbus, Ohio.

Charles Coltman, Chairman and CEO of Rolls-Royce Fuel Cell Systems commented: ‘These announcements underscore our focus on the future of fuel cell technology and continue our drive to develop highly efficient, cost effective and environmentally friendly power systems.’

Rolls-Royce began research into fuel cell technology in 1992 and in 2003 it established Rolls-Royce Fuel Cell Systems Ltd. Last year, Rolls-Royce partnered with Singaporean consortium EnerTek to jointly invest $100m toward developing a commercially-viable power system based on fuel cell technology.

The company has also opened a new facility at Loughborough University in the UK to pilot the production of ceramic components for use in fuel cell systems.