Green energy alliance

Rolls-Royce is to collaborate with Air New Zealand and Boeing in flight evaluation of a renewable fuel source. The research is part of a wider programme to understand renewable fuels and their future uses. http://www.boeing.com/

The evaluation, due to take place in the second half of 2008, will use a bio fuel blended with kerosene. An announcement on the source and mix will be made closer to the time of the flight. The fuel will be used on a Boeing 747-400, owned by Air New Zealand and powered by four Rolls-Royce RB211-524s. Only one engine will use the derived fuel, the remaining engines will be driven by kerosene.

Data will be gathered throughout the test process that will contribute to a wider understanding of the capabilities and limitations of renewable fuels and aid in the search for alternatives to kerosene. Rolls-Royce hope that the evaluation will validate what previous lab work has predicted.