Rolls-Royce has announced a hydrogen program and given a further update on its research into hybrid-electric power as it continues to pioneer new forms of aviation sustainability.
Together with the commitment to continually improve gas turbine efficiency and demonstrate compatibility with Sustainable Aviation Fuel, this work ensures to play a leading role in the drive to Net Zero aviation.
Rolls-Royce is planning a comprehensive series of rig and engine tests to prove that the fuel can safely and efficiently deliver power for small-mid size aircraft from the mid-2030s onwards. The company has further ambitions to move this on to a flight test phase as part of the program in the long term.
Program plans
Two ground tests are planned, on a Rolls-Royce AE 2100 engine and a Rolls-Royce Pearl 15 jet engine. A range of location options are being assessed for this including the Rolls-Royce test facility in Mississippi, USA.
This will build on hydrogen combustion tests already well underway in partnership with Loughborough University and German research insititute DLR, with Cranfield University’s input on fuel system management.
The market research
The program follows market research carried out by the UK Aerospace Technology Institute’s Fly Zero team and Project NAPKIN
The program follows market research carried out by the UK Aerospace Technology Institute’s Fly Zero team and Project NAPKIN (New Aviation Propulsion Knowledge and Innovation Network), both of which had Rolls-Royce representation, and both concluded there is market potential for hydrogen-powered aircraft.
It also complements broader research into hydrogen infrastructure and transportation that Rolls-Royce is already carrying out with easyJet. Hybrid-electric and hydrogen power systems are also part of a regional aircraft research project underway with WiderØe and Embraer.
Rolls-Royce’s hybrid electric research
Rolls-Royce’s hybrid electric research has been carried out on the Power Generation System 1 demonstrator – made up of an AE 2100 engine with specialist controls and thermal management systems.
Tests in Bristol, UK, and Trondheim, Norway, recently concluded and have now confirmed the system delivered more than 1.5 megawatts of power – the first time this has been achieved in the aviation sector.
Rolls-Royce is taking that huge amount of learning and carrying out further work to understand how a production version of PGS1 might be achieved and discussing with airframers what their future requirements may be.