Rolls-Royce is looking at how to commercialize its fuel cell business, The Independent reports. John Rose, the CEO, is considering bringing in outside partners to invest in the cell, known as the SOFC, or possibly in selling a share of the business. Making it a separate company, the article notes, is not a viable option. Analysts estimate the power generation market is worth a potential $50 billion and that the fuel cell could help Rolls-Royce take a big chunk of that.
Rolls Royce believes the generators will be ready for commercial sale in 2010. Company scientists are designing it for stationary power generation at hospitals, universities and small factories, but the generators can be adapted for larger scale transport, military and marine applications.