In Stark, Rolls-Royce leads green parade
By Joe Hallett
The Columbus Dispatch
May 16, 2010
JACKSON TWP. —The name may be synonymous with British luxury cars, but the company spun off its automotive division a long time ago.
These days, Rolls-Royce builds jet engines, marine propulsion systems and energy generators, including fuel cells.
And the North American fuelcell operations are based in Stark County.
Don't expect a tour of the plant. So far, there isn't much to see, judging from the size of the facility, about half of a lab building on the Stark State College of Technology campus.
"It's all about managing expectations," said Mark Fleiner, CEO of the fuel-cell division, explaining the low profile. "We are focused on getting the technology so that when we do launch a product, it is worthy of the Rolls-Royce name."
The company shares the building with the Stark State fuel-cell program, and some of the Stark State graduates don't have to go far to find work.
The closest thing to a coming-out party was in September, when political leaders came to campus to celebrate the company's decision to expand.
"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 Gov. Ted Strickland.
Rolls-Royce is developing a large-scale fuel cell for stationary use. The goal is to produce a device that can generate one megawatt of electricity, enough to power an entire neighborhood.
But Fleiner was reluctant to even say that much.
"The technology that we're developing is extremely challenging," he said. "If you look at the venture model, it's highrisk, high-reward."
American Electric Power is among the companies that have taken an interest in the venture, though Fleiner declined to detail the nature of the collaboration.
One thing he was eager to talk about was Stark State. He thinks the school's fuel-cell program is a great asset to Ohio.
"They're building an expertise at the curriculum level, kind of a supply chain of people," he said.
Article reprinted with permission, Copyright 2010,The Canton Repository, All Rights Reserved. |
