meOHmare joint projectRolls-Royce tests methanol combustion engine

Sören Gehlhaus

 · 12.02.2026

meOHmare joint project: Rolls-Royce tests methanol combustion enginePhoto: PR
Successful test: A high-speed combustion engine fuelled by methanol was put to the test by MTU engineers.
As part of the meOHmare joint project, Rolls-Royce has successfully tested a high-speed combustion engine that can run exclusively on green methanol. We explain how the project came about.

Rolls-Royce has successfully tested a high-speed combustion engine that can be fuelled with green methanol in a carbon-neutral way. The engine manufacturers cooperated with the injection system specialists from Woodward L'Orange and the Technology and Research Centre WTZ Roßlau as part of the joint project meOHmare, which is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy.

Engineering faces new challenges

Dr Jörg Stratmann, CEO of Rolls-Royce Power Systems AG, described it as a "genuine world first". "To date, there is no other high-speed engine in this power class that runs purely on methanol." The liquid alcohol poses new engineering challenges, as it does not ignite like diesel and requires a different injection technology. The combustion process, turbocharging and engine control have been fundamentally redesigned. According to Rolls-Royce, the engine is running stably, now it's just a matter of fine-tuning.


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Sören Gehlhaus wurde 1981 in Berlin geboren und besegelte auf Jollen die Unterhavel, in den Ferien den Ratzeburger See und die Ostsee auf „Dickschiffen“. Zeitgleich mit dem Beginn des Studiums in Lübeck trat 2001 das Kitesurfen auf den Plan, und die intensive Ausübung des neuen Sports sorgte für den beruflichen Schwenk zum Journalismus. Nach Volontariat beim b&d Verlag in Hamburg folgten viele Jahre der redaktionellen Arbeit für ein Kitesurf-Magazin und 2018 der Wechsel zu BOOTE EXCLUSIV.

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