In a first, Rolls-Royce tests modern aircraft engine running on hydrogen, read details here

Rolls-Royce tests are being performed on a small aircraft jet engine on Salisbury Plain. And this could one day bring huge transformation within the aviation industry.

The engine chosen for performing the test is a gas turbine, Rolls-Royce AE-2100A, which is extensively used around the world on regional aircraft. But the fuel used in the engine hasn’t been used before this test to run any modern aircraft engine. The fuel we are talking about is hydrogen.

BBC reports, 'Devoid of bodywork, with its intricate wiring and pipework exposed, it sits securely fastened to a sturdy test rig, while engineers cluster around an array of screens in the control room, a safe distance away.'


Rolls-Royce is performing these tests in partnership with EasyJet Airlines.

Though the immediate objective is to show that jet engines can run and can be controlled when hydrogen fuel is used, the long-term plan is to allow continuous growth of the aviation industry, with hydrogen power playing a major role while dramatically cutting climate change emissions.

In the words of Alan Newby, the “drive for Net Zero” is the reason they’re looking at hydrogen. He also said the beauty of “looking at a fuel like a hydrogen” is that it “produces no CO2” when it burns as it contains no carbon. Alan is the director of aerospace technology at Roll-Royce.

Several million pounds toward initial trials have already been invested by EasyJet as the company believes that the best route to reduce emissions from short-haul aviation is hydrogen power.

FAQs:

1. What is the major drawback of hydrogen as fuel?
It’s Hard to store and transport

2. Is hydrogen better than EV?
It has some advantages over EV