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Rolls-Royce and easyJet have achieved a milestone with the world's first run of a modern turbo-prop engine on hydrogen. The test was performed on a concept demonstrator using green hydrogen, created by wind and tidal power.
This major feat is a step toward proving that hydrogen could be a zero-carbon aviation fuel and is a key point in the decarbonization strategies for Rolls-Royce and easyJet. The two companies are already planning the next step in the process to prove hydrogen can deliver full power for aircraft safely and efficiently. Testing will bring the team to the next step, with goals or flight tests.
The pivotal test was performed at MoD Boscombe Down, UK. A converted Rolls-Royce AE 2100 A regional aircraft engine was used for testing. It is the same engine that is in the Lockheed Martin C-130J. In sustainable fashion, the hydrogen was produced in the UK by European Marine Energy Center. The supplied green hydrogen had been generated using renewable energy at the EMEC hydrogen production and tidal test facility in the Orkney Islands of Scotland.RELATED STORIES: LOOK: Air National Guard wing gets pair of new C-130J aircraft ahead of Veterans Day Rolls-Royce, Purdue sign $75M sustainable power systems research and testing agreement
"The UK is leading the global shift to guilt-free flying, and today's test by Rolls-Royce and easyJet is an exciting demonstration of how business innovation can transform the way we live our lives," Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Grant Shapps said.
The partnership had been inspired by the UN-backed Race to Zero campaign. Both companies had signed up and were committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. The pair plan to run further rig tests before launching a full-scale ground test of a Rolls-Royce Pearl 15 jet engine.
"The success of this hydrogen test is an exciting milestone," Rolls-Royce Chief Technology Officer, Grazia Vittadini said. "We only announced our partnership with easyJet in July and we are already off to an incredible start with this landmark achievement. We are pushing the boundaries to discover the zero carbon possibilities of hydrogen, which could help reshape the future of flight."See more pictures of the Hydrogen Test here.
This success is the first in a long process of testing to achieve net zero carbon emissions. Sustainability has been a topic in the aviation industry, with sustainable fuel options increasing availability and the possibility of all-electric or hybrid-electric aircraft close than ever.
"This is a real success for our partnership team," easyJet CEO, Johan Lundgren said. "We are committed to continuing to support this ground-breaking research because hydrogen offers great possibilities for a range of aircraft, including easyJet-sized aircraft. That will be a huge step forward in meeting the challenge of net zero by 2050."