Rolls-Royce to test hydrogen-powered plane engines

By Sam Pither

21 July 2022

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Rolls Royce has announced it is partnering with Easyjet to develop and test hydrogen fuelled aircraft engines.

The H2ZERO project will see the firms partner up to conduct a series of engine tests on the ground later this year, with a stated ambition to take these tests into their air in future.

The partnership’s objective is to prove that hydrogen has feasible potential to power a range of aircraft from the mid-2030s onwards.

Rolls-Royce’s extensive experience and expertise in engine development will complement Easyjet’s operational knowledge and experience.

The programme will begin with an early concept ground test of Rolls-Royce’s AE 2100 engine later this year, followed by a full-scale ground test of a Rolls-Royce Pearl 15 jet engine. The programme will build on initial hydrogen combustion and fuel system rig tests that Rolls-Royce is undertaking with both Cranfield and Loughborough universities.

The project was inspired by the UN-backed Race to Zero campaign, which both companies have signed up to, committing to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Grazia Vittadini, Chief Technology and Strategy Officer, Rolls-Royce, said: “H2ZERO is a big step forward for Rolls-Royce and we are excited to be working with a partner that shares a desire to innovate and find new answers to aviation’s biggest challenges.

“We at Rolls-Royce want to be ready to pioneer sustainability with whatever the future requires, be it hydrogen, electric power, sustainable aviation fuel, or gas turbine efficiency. This agreement further inspires us to move forward.”

By Sam Pither

Sam is the Regional Editor of Biz News, responsible for both Hampshire and Dorset.

A new recruit to journalism, Sam started writing for the Business Magazine as a freelancer in May of 2022 after completing his degree in English at University College London. His passion for local businesses and ability to tell a story soon caught the attention of the publication’s management team and have led to his meteoric rise.

Sam, who lives in central Reading, takes a particular interest in technology, gaming and food and drink, having been a chef before starting his degree.