Bergen gathering sets the stage for role in AI and the energy transition
Bergen, Norway. 21st June, 2024.
Managing Directors of Bergen Engines, Piller Power Systems and Marelli Motori from around the world came together at Bergen Engines’ headquarters last week for the inaugural Power Solutions Division symposium.
Executives from subsidiaries as far apart as Bangladesh and Mexico, the USA, UK, Europe and Singapore, met in person for the first time in Norway for four days of presentations and discussions on the energy transition, AI and the role that the Power Solutions Division has to play.
The symposium was opened by parent company Langley Holdings plc Chairman & CEO, Mr Tony Langley, accompanied by Main Board Director, Mr Will Langley.
In his address the Chairman said that he expected to see unprecedented demand for the Division’s technologies as the energy transition and AI gathered pace.
AI growth: “…on a scale barely imaginable.”
He said that In the twenty years that Langley had owned Piller, data centres had grown significantly in both size and number, but that with the advent of AI, growth from here on would be on a scale barely imaginable.
Power consumption would continue to increase and pressure on the grid will only be compounded with fossil fuel power plants closing.
Local microgrids are part of the solution. For the burgeoning data centre sector, combining Bergen / Marelli base-load generation with Piller power conditioning technology, thereby eliminating backup generators, UPS and batteries, can be a compelling proposition.
The Power of 10 solution, comprising multiples of modular generating units offer a highly flexible power solution up to 1000MW that can effortlessly handle the demand profile of AI and built in phases by adding extra modules as demand increases.
…multiples of modular generating units offer a highly flexible power solution up to 1000MW
He went on to say that he expected hydrogen to become central to the energy transition. Last year he challenged the Bergen team to have a 100% hydrogen engine operating by the end of 2024 and was pleased to see that the programme is on track.
However, Langley said that it could be a decade or more before hydrogen is produced at scale but when it was, the business would be ready. In the meantime, Bergen engineers are developing engines to run on methanol, ammonia and other future fuels.
100% hydrogen engine – on track for end 2024
He encouraged the delegates to “think big”, use resources wisely and consider the facilities in Norway, Germany and Italy “as one”.
Langley concluded by saying:
“This is a brave new world, we must seize the opportunity to be part of it.”
Day one of the four day symposium concluded with a memorable transfer on the historic MS Granvin from Bergen Engines’ quayside to the picturesque Bergen city centre.
About Power Solutions
The Langley Holdings Power Solutions Division comprises Bergen Engines, the Norwegian medium-speed engine builder acquired from Rolls-Royce in December 2021; Marelli Motori, the Italian producer of electric motors and generators, part of the Group since May 2019; and Piller Group, Europe’s leading producer of critical power conditioning, stabilisation and backup systems, based in Germany and celebrating 20 years of Langley stewardship this year. In 2024, the Division will account for approximately half of the Group’s $1.5bn revenues and 5000+ employees.
About Piller
Piller power conditioning and backup technology can be found in major mission-critical power applications globally. For many of the world’s banks and financial institutions, governmental agencies, data centre operators, telecoms networks and airports, as well as hospitals, semiconductor and pharmaceutical manufacturers, Piller equipment is the go-to technology, earning the mantra Nothing protects quite like Piller.
Piller was founded by Anton Piller in Hamburg in 1909. Today the company is headquartered in Osterode, near Hanover in Germany, with subsidiaries across Europe, in the USA, India, Singapore and Australia. The company employs around 1,000 people worldwide, the majority in Germany.
In 2016 Piller acquired the Austin TX kinetic energy storage producer, Active Power Inc.