The Rolls-Royce University Technology Centre

Rolls-Royce opened a new University Technology Centre (UTC) at The University of Manchester in 2004 to pursue research into innovative electrical technologies for aerospace, marine and energy applications.

The Rolls-Royce University Technology Centre in Power Conversion Systems was officially opened by Rolls-Royce Chief Operating Officer John Cheffins, just one mile from where Charles Rolls and Henry Royce forged their original partnership at Manchester’s Midland Hotel in 1904.

The Rolls-Royce UTC at Manchester is the focal point for research on Power Conversion Systems

The vision of this development reflects the rapidly increasing importance of electrical power systems in each of the company’s key markets. The quest for enhanced technologies is driven by customer demands for improvements in performance, capabilities and services. Emerging electrical technologies have the potential to meet these demands by enabling major improvements in system integration and product functionality.

The Centre, part of the University's Power Conversion Group, will design electrical systems for air, sea and land vehicles which operate in 'extreme environments' like those experienced by planes at altitudes of 60,000ft and by ships submerged in freezing waters. The Centre houses a modern, industry-standard laboratory - the Intelligent Electrical Power Networks Evaluation Facility (IEPNEF) - in which all of these conditions can be tested. This major Rolls-Royce £1 million-plus facility has been installed as part of a national project to devise and develop more-electric technologies for future aircraft, marine and land-based vehicles.

Research will focus on designing electrical systems that are lighter and more efficient than the heavy pneumatic and mechanical systems used on ships and planes today. Reducing weight will reduce fuel consumption, lower emissions, increase efficiency and ultimately reduce the cost of travel.

Research focus

• Aerospace - electrical system architectures, energy management, fault reconfiguration, power electronic interfaces, energy storage, intelligent agents, high-voltage cable design, low temperature power electronics
• Marine - electrical propulsion systems, electrical system modelling, rim thrusters, submarine electrical actuation systems
• Energy - superconducting technologies, fault current limiting, tidal and wind generation

Rolls-Royce student sponsorship

• Undergraduate - Power Academy