Rolls-Royce Power Systems and INERATEC have partnered to decarbonise emergency power supply systems for data centres by replacing fossil diesel with synthetic e-Fuels made from renewable hydrogen and captured CO₂.
The collaboration marks a significant development in the use of climate-neutral fuels, targeting a critical yet often overlooked application—backup power for data centres, which are increasingly energy-intensive due to the growing demand for artificial intelligence technologies.
Under the partnership, Rolls-Royce plans to integrate INERATEC’s synthetic e-Diesel into its mtu emergency generators, which are already certified for sustainable fuel use. The initial rollout will focus on data centres in Germany, leveraging short delivery routes from INERATEC’s ERA ONE production facility in Frankfurt to facilitate rapid deployment.
“Customers in the critical infrastructure sector, such as data centres, who are aiming to reduce their carbon footprint, will soon be able to use e-Fuels,” said Tobias Ostermaier, President of Stationary Power Solutions at Rolls-Royce Power Systems. “We are committed to the use of e-Fuels in data centres together with INERATEC.”
Data centres represent one of the fastest-growing sources of energy consumption globally. Their need for reliable backup power has traditionally been met with diesel generators. This partnership offers a carbon-neutral alternative, aligning with international sustainability goals and standards, including ISCC certification.
Maximilian Backhaus, Chief Commercial Officer at INERATEC, described the collaboration as timely: “The secure energy supply for AI-powered data centres is one of the defining challenges of our time. Our e-Fuels offer a climate-neutral solution that is scalable, dependable, and ready for immediate deployment.”
The two companies aim to expand their cooperation internationally over time, potentially setting a new benchmark for sustainable energy use in digital infrastructure.
