Ten years ago, Rolls-Royce partnered with the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and the Marintek Research Centre to create a unique research centre in Norway. The partners have today renewed their agreement in Trondheim, Norway, pledging to continue to develop high-tech solutions for the maritime sector, focusing on improving ship performance in rough seas.
Rune Garen, Director of Propulsion Research &Technology, Rolls-Royce, said: “This is a very close collaboration between industry and academia, where we as a company not only contribute funds, but also take part in the research effort.”
The research centre follows a model that Rolls-Royce has developed with universities worldwide: the Rolls-Royce University Technology Centre (UTC). This is the only centre of its kind in Norway, and one of two in the Nordic region. The second Nordic UTC, in collaboration with the Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden, is also focused on marine technology. Rolls-Royce has established 31 UTC partnerships around the world.
Attending the event, Ric Parker, Director of Research & Technology, Rolls-Royce, said: “Rolls-Royce has a proud history of innovation and continues to develop its Marine business with cutting edge products and services. The Trondheim UTC makes a significant contribution to our understanding of the behaviour of ships and propulsion systems in extreme sea conditions, feeding into our award-winning designs. Trondheim is a key member of our strategic academic network of 31 UTCs worldwide and we are happy to be extending this successful partnership.”
Depending on the number of ongoing projects, Rolls-Royce meets 25-40 per cent of the Norwegian centre’s funding requirement. The partnership also receives substantial support from the Research Council of Norway. Rolls-Royce plays an active role in the research effort itself and the centre’s work contributes real value for the maritime industry, one of Norway’s most important industries.
“This is an exceptionally good example of how R&D contributes to the development of strong business clusters. The aim of the collaboration in Trondheim is to boost research in areas that are strategically important for Rolls-Royce and that have the potential for commercialisation,” said Rune Garen. The UTC in Trondheim currently has a research staff of seven researchers and four PhD candidates.
About Rolls-Royce Holdings plc
Rolls-Royce’s vision is to create better power for a changing world via two main business divisions, Aerospace and Land & Sea. These business divisions address markets with two strong technology platforms, gas turbines and reciprocating engines. Aerospace comprises Civil Aerospace and Defence Aerospace. Land & Sea comprises Marine, Nuclear and Power Systems.
Rolls-Royce has customers in more than 120 countries, comprising more than 380 airlines and leasing customers, 160 armed forces, 4,000 marine customers including 70 navies, and more than 5,000 power and nuclear customers.
Our business is focused on the 4Cs:
Customer – placing the customer at the heart of our business
Concentration – deciding where to grow and where not to
Cost – continually looking to increase efficiency
Cash – improving financial performance.
Annual underlying revenue was £14.6 billion in 2014, around half of which came from the provision of aftermarket services. The firm and announced order book stood at £73.7 billion at the end of 2014.
In 2014, Rolls-Royce invested £1.2 billion on research and development. We also support a global network of 31 University Technology Centres, which position Rolls-Royce engineers at the forefront of scientific research
Rolls-Royce employs over 54,000 people in more than 50 countries. Over 15,500 of these are engineers.
The Group has a strong commitment to apprentice and graduate recruitment and to further developing employee skills. In 2014 we employed 354 graduates and 357 apprentices through our worldwide training programmes. Globally we have over 1,000 Rolls-Royce STEM ambassadors who are actively involved in education programmes and activities; we have set ourselves a target to reach 6 million people through our STEM outreach activities by 2020.
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