Rolls-Royce announces expansion of fuel cell research in North Canton
9/21/2009
Rolls-Royce announced on Monday that it will expand its fuel cell research division in North Canton, a move that public officials said will create 60 jobs and retain 32. "This type of high-tech investment is exactly what we need to create and expand business opportunities for Ohio companies and position our state as a leader in innovation and technology," said Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland, a Democrat.
The news was announced at Stark State College of Technology, where Rolls-Royce Fuel Cell Systems established its North American headquarters in 2006.
Fuel cells chemically generate electricity by combining hydrogen with oxygen from the air in the presence of a catalyst, releasing water and carbon dioxide -- but no combustion products.
The state has targeted fuel cells for development because Ohio has the technological expertise and work force to build them -- everything from the fuel cell itself to myriad pumps and compressors and accompanying electronics in a complete fuel cell system.
The expansion of the Rolls-Royce labs at the Stark State College of Technology campus will add a few more engineering jobs, from about 30 currently to about 40 or 50. The real growth in jobs would be in 2012 when Rolls-Royce completes its design of the utility-scale fuel cells -- and if it agrees to build assembly plants in Ohio.
The company said it will invest $3 million in processing and testing equipment, consolidating its research and development activities in North Canton. The chief executive of its U.S. fuel cell division, Mark Fleiner, said Ohio's commitment to support a fuel cell industry and a strong partnership with Stark State College factored into its expansion decision. Rolls envisions global production of very large fuel cells -- generating hundreds of thousands or millions of watts. The megawatt-sized units would be ideal for electric utilities looking to augment their giant, coal-fired power plants or nuclear plants by distributing the fuel cells on local, neighborhood distribution systems.
"Today in Canton, Ohio, we show what a strong national energy policy can do to create jobs right here at home," said Alliance Democratic Rep. John Boccieri.
Boccieri credited his predecessor, retired Navarre GOP Rep. Ralph Regula, for obtaining federal aid that helped make the region a magnet for alternative energy sector jobs.
Ohio Department of Development director Lisa Patt-McDaniel cited the contribution of Ohio's "Third Frontier" technology grant program, which invested over $11 million in Stark State and helped it establish a Fuel Cell Prototyping Center.
Since 2006, Ohio has awarded $3.5 million directly to Rolls, which three years ago had its pick of a number of states eager to have it. Ohio also has awarded Stark State $7.5 million in fuel cell related grants over the past few years.
In addition to the state-financed labs and offices that Rolls uses, the college has developed a robust training program focused on fuel cell technology.
Patt-McDaniel said the program's investments at the college "are paying serious dividends, providing students a 21st century skill set and Rolls-Royce a compelling reason to expand in the North Canton community."
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