Bergen launching microgrid offering

Bergen Engines is launching a combined microgrid offering that the company says focuses on the rapidly emerging mix of renewable energy sources.

According to the company, microgrids with a high penetration of renewable energy sources have a vital role to play in the energy transition to net zero, but the natural fluctuations in output from those same renewable energy sources create a need for dispatchable balancing power that can kick in quickly.

Bergen, formerly part of Rolls-Royce and recently acquired by Langley Holdings, will work with Langley subsidiaries Piller Power Systems and Marelli Motori on the endeavor.

Less than four months after Langley Holdings officially took ownership of Bergen Engines from Rolls-Royce plc, its Power Solutions Division is launching a combined microgrid offering, focused on a rapidly emerging mix of renewable energy sources.(Image: Bergen Engines)

The H2-ready combustion engines from Bergen Engines, incorporating Marelli Motori alternators, can start up fast and maintain high efficiency levels at part-load operation, always keeping emissions and fuel consumption low. Piller’s stabilization and storage systems make it possible to optimize the various power sources in a microgrid, thereby reducing investment and operational costs, according to the company.

“We believe that this combined offering is a key step that will enable an increased penetration of renewables in the electricity supply system, reducing overall emissions from power generation,” said John Kristian Johnsen, head of Sales, Bergen Engines said. “Our engines are already H2-ready, allowing a gradual transition from natural gas to hydrogen, when green hydrogen becomes commercially available.”

Bergen Engines recently launched a comprehensive test program towards zero carbon emission engines, aiming to develop a retrofit solution that will accept hydrogen content of up to 60%, and a solution that can accept 100% hydrogen for new engines to come.

“Our Microgrid stabilization systems provide the widest flexibility of system design in one unit,” said Andrew Dyke, CEO of Piller Power Systems. “Customers can choose the type of energy storage to optimise the system and benefit from a solution that separates utility faults from the microgrid. This makes for an ideal interface between engines and renewables in any hybrid Microgrid.”