Rolls-Royce, Ineratec launch partnership to decarbonize backup power at data centers

Photo: Rolls-Royce

Rolls-Royce and Ineratec, a leading developer of “Power-to-X” plants and manufacturer of climate-neutral eFuels, have formed a strategic partnership to decarbonize backup power for data centers.

Their goal is to replace fossil diesel in emergency-power systems with synthetic fuels produced from renewable hydrogen and CO2.

The collaboration opens up a new and largely overlooked use case for eFuels in the digital age—powering critical infrastructure in an increasingly artificial-intelligence (AI)-driven world.

Data centers are among the fastest-growing energy consumers, primarily due to the increasing use of AI.

At the same time, these data centers—some of which form part of critical infrastructure—must be protected against power outages.

This is precisely where the partnership between Rolls-Royce Power Systems and Ineratec comes in.

The companies intend to use Ineratec’s synthetic eDiesel, which is produced using green hydrogen and CO2, as an alternative to fossil diesel for generators.

Initially, the focus will be on German data centers.

Rolls-Royce Power Systems plans to support the use of Ineratec’s sustainable fuels in its emergency-power systems for data centers.

The result is a reliable, cost-efficient, CO2-neutral solution to one of the challenges facing digital infrastructure.

“Mtu backup generators from Rolls-Royce are already approved for operation with sustainable fuels,” said Tobias Ostermaier, the president of stationary-power solutions at Rolls-Royce Power Systems. “Customers in the critical-infrastructure sector, such as data centers, who are aiming to reduce their carbon footprint will soon also able to use eFuels. We are committed to the use of eFuels in data centers together with Ineratec.”

Maximilian Backhaus, Ineratec’s chief commercial officer, said, “The secure energy supply for AI-powered data centers is one of the defining challenges of our time. Our eFuels 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.”

The collaboration will begin with a focused market launch in Germany.

Short delivery routes from Ineratec’s Era One production facility in Frankfurt will enable rapid rollout.

Ineratec’s eFuels are produced using renewable electricity and captured CO2 and comply with internationally recognized environmental standards such as ISCC.

In the long term, the two partners aim to implement their cooperation internationally.