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Rolls-Royce completed its 100 percent SAF compatibility testing program, proving there are no engine barriers to the use of fully sustainable fuel.
Furthering a commitment that was made in 2021, Rolls-Royce demonstrated the compatibility of the use of 100 percent SAF through a variety of ground and flight tests to demonstrate its use in different, in-service conditions. The testing confirmed that the use of 100 percent SAF does not affect engine performance. A final ground test was completed using a BR710 business jet engine at the Rolls-Royce facility in Canada. Previous engine testing was conducted using the Trent 700, Trent 800, Trent 900, Trent 1000, Trent XWB-84, Trent XWB-97, Trent 7000, BR725, Pearl 700, Pearl 15 and Pearl 10X.
"Becoming the first jet engine manufacturer to publicly confirm all our in-production engines for long-haul aircraft and business jets are compatible with 100% SAF, is an important milestone for both Rolls-Royce and the wider aviation industry," Rolls-Royce CEO Tufan Erginbilgic said. "It's also further evidence of our commitment to becoming a net zero company by 2050 and supporting our customers to do the same."
Earlier in 2023 Rolls-Royce completed the first run, using 100 percent SAF, on its new generation UltraFan engine demonstrator, proving in-production engine compatibility. Later in November, the company will use Trent 1000 engines to power a Virgin Atlantic Boeing 787 Dreamliner on Flight 100 on the world's first transatlantic 100 percent SAF flight. Sponsored by the Department for Transport, the Virgin Atlantic-led consortium includes Boeing, the University of Sheffield, Imperial College London and the Rocky Mountain Institute. The return flight will use regular jet fuel, thus proving engines and aircraft can run using either traditional or SAF without engineering changes.RELATED STORY:World's first 100 percent SAF transatlantic flight 1 step closer, ground testing successful
"The world's journey to decarbonizing flight is powered by British innovation and backed by the UK Government, meaning people can continue to travel how they want, in a way that's fit for the future," UK Transport Secretary Mark Harper said. "Today's news demonstrates that Rolls Royce and the UK are global leaders in decarbonizing transport, taking us one step closer to Jet Zero."The use of SAF can support the aviation industry's energy transition journey as a drop-in fuel, able to be used simply as an alternative to conventional fuel. The lifecycle of SAF is taken into consideration and the International Air Transport Association has estimated the net CO2 lifecycle emissions of unblended SAF are nearly 80 percent lower than the conventional jet fuel. Rolls-Royce estimates that to reach Net Zero by 2050, the use of next-gen gas turbines using 100 percent SAF is likely to contribute around 80 percent of the total solution.The international standards body for jet fuel, ASTM International, allows for a max of 50 percent SAF to be blended with 50 percent standard jet fuel. All of Rolls-Royce's in-production civil aero engines are certified to operate using the 50 percent blended fuel and the success of the 100 SAF use will provide support for the pathway to commercial flights using 100 percent SAF.
"This is an important milestone, not just for Rolls-Royce, but also for the wider civil aerospace industry," said Simon Burr, Rolls Royce group director of engineering, technology and safety. "We hope the success of these tests provides a level of technical validation that supports those who seek to invest in the production of 100% SAF going forward."