Rolls-Royce Supports Sustainability at EcoDataCenter with Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil-Fueled Gensets

Rolls-Royce will deliver 16 mtu Series 4000 generator sets (gensets) for EcoDataCenter, a Sweden-based data center operator, which recently switched its emergency power generator fuel from fossil diesel to sustainable hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO). EcoDataCenter’s location in Falun, Sweden is expanding, with 32 mtu systems currently providing backup power to ensure data protection during a public grid outage. BOS Power is also involved in the expansion project.

“Together with BOS Power and the fuel manufacturer Neste, we were able to convince EcoDataCenter, on the basis of technical analyses, documented test runs and guarantees, that our systems with HVO100 deliver the same or better performance and safety, and that maintenance intervals can be maintained,” said Tobias Ostermaier, President Stationary Power Solutions at Rolls-Royce. “It is our strategic goal to provide our customers with reliable and efficient solutions that support them in their energy transition.”

EcoDataCenter’s HVO Switch

The switch from fossil fuels to HVO will help EcoDataCenter reduce the carbon footprint of its Falun data centers. With HVO100, or Neste MY Renewable Diesel, lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions can be cut by up to 95% when compared to fossil diesel. HVO will also reduce local pollutant emissions—particulate matter will decrease by up to 80% and NOx by 8% on average.

Falun data center; image credit: EcoDataCenter

“Moving away from fossil fuels is one of the foundations for a successful energy transition,” said Mikael Svanfeldt, CTO of EcoDataCenter. “With mtu emergency backup gensets and HVO from Neste, we were able to implement this without having to invest in new equipment.”

EcoDataCenter also delivers sustainability by:

• Supplying excess heat from server halls to a local bio-fuel factory
• Using sustainable cross-laminated timber to build data center frames

Genset Fuel Adaptability

Over the last few years, Rolls-Royce Power Systems approved 80% of its mtu diesel engine portfolio for EN15940 standard fuels, including sustainable HVO for the mtu Series 4000 and 1600 engines used in the power generation industry. HVO is a drop-in fuel, meaning:

• Existing diesel infrastructure can be utilized without modifications
• No engine hardware or software adaptations are required
• It features a longer shelf life than biodiesel

More Rolls-Royce News

Last week, Rolls-Royce agreed to deliver 10 mtu Series 4000 L64 FNER natural gas gensets to Collicutt Energy Services for five end-user installations—specifically, distributed energy sites—in Alberta, Canada, with the first site now operational. The genset-equipped installations will dispense electricity into the local grid during peak demand hours, offering continuous power availability for the community and industry. Collicutt oversaw the engineering, design, manufacturing, onsite installation, and final commissioning, as well as the initial concept. The company also agreed to provide long-term genset and balance-of-plant maintenance, including 24/7 monitoring at each site.

For the project, mtu gas gensets were an optimal choice due to their power generation cost and extended lifespan with up to 84,000 operating hours before major overhaul. These natural gas-powered units emit fewer air pollutants and CO₂ than alternative energy sources, generating clean power with high efficiency and performance. Rolls-Royce also equipped the L64 FNER with dual-fuel capability for natural gas and hydrogen blending.