24 September 2009

Rolls-Royce expands fuel cell research center

Rolls-Royce is into fuel cells, and it now wants to expand its research division in Ohio.

Company officials said they will invest $3 million in processing and testing equipment at Stark State College of Technology in North Canton, where Rolls-Royce Fuel Cell Systems established its North American headquarters in 2006.

The move should create 60 jobs and retain 32 others.

Fuel cells chemically generate electricity by combining hydrogen with oxygen from the air.

Ohio has invested over $11 million at the college to help establish a fuel cell prototyping center. The state also has awarded $3.5 million directly to Rolls-Royce.

Rolls-Royce envisions global production of very large fuel cells, which can generate hundreds of thousands or millions of watts that could be used by electric utilities or nuclear plants.

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