Rolls-Royce and easyJet perform world first with hydrogen engine run

The ground test was conducted on an early concept demonstrator using green hydrogen and marks a major step towards proving that hydrogen could be a zero carbon aviation fuel.  The milestone is also said to be a ‘key proof point’ in the decarbonisation strategies of both companies.

Rolls-Royce and easyJet have set out to prove that hydrogen can safely and efficiently deliver power for civil aero engines and are planning a second set of tests, with a longer-term determination to carry out flight tests.

In a statement, Grazia Vittadini, CTO, Rolls-Royce, said: “The success of this hydrogen test is an exciting milestone. 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.”

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The test took place at an outdoor test facility at MoD Boscombe Down using a converted Rolls-Royce AE 2100-A regional aircraft engine. Green hydrogen for the tests was supplied by EMEC (European Marine Energy Centre), generated using renewable energy at their hydrogen production and tidal test facility on Eday in the Orkney Islands.

Secretary of state for business, energy and industrial strategy, Grant Shapps, said: “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.

“This is a true British success story, with the hydrogen being used to power the jet engine today produced using tidal and wind energy from the Orkney Islands of Scotland – and is a prime example of how we can work together to make aviation cleaner while driving jobs across the country.”

Following analysis of this early concept ground test, the partnership plans a series of further rig tests leading up to a full-scale ground test of a Rolls-Royce Pearl 15 jet engine.

Johan Lundgren, CEO of easyJet, 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.”