Rolls-Royce and easyJet announced that the hydrogen-powered jet engine has successfully passed the tests. Rolls-Royce and easyJet, a Europe-based airline, have said their goal is to reduce emissions by 2050, explaining that this success in the ground test “will be a milestone for producing the world’s first modern hydrogen-powered air engine.”
Testing was conducted at an open-air facility in MoD Bosombe Down, England, using a converted Rolls-Royce AE 2100-A aircraft engine.
Flights are one of the most carbon-intensive forms of travel, and airline emissions have a huge impact on the planet. Energy Industry Review reports that the Réseau Action Climate Association has found that as of February 2022, aviation is responsible for five percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. As these figures do not account for aircraft stalls, the actual emissions could be much higher, reaching up to 15 percent of global emissions.
The aviation industry says it’s trying to reduce emissions by trying to develop airplanes that use alternative fuels like hydrogen for air travel. The attractiveness of hydrogen is important because it produces water as waste, not carbon dioxide. In recent years, a few hard-to-decarbonize industries such as airlines have invested heavily in hydrogen technologies to reduce their emissions.
Hydrogen is actually not so innocent either, because it is expensive and hard to find. It is also cumbersome to store because it requires high pressure, low temperature and chemical processes to be stored safely. In addition, it is not zero in terms of emissions, since a large amount of energy is required to separate hydrogen from other elements, and emissions are also involved in the production of this energy. EasyJet and Rolls-Royce’s testing used hydrogen fuel made from wind and tidal power, both renewable sources, making its fuel “green” hydrogen.
Against all odds, Rolls-Royce and easyJet say they are planning a second set of tests with a long-term goal. This time, flight tests will also be carried out. The 2020 European Union report estimates that hydrogen-fueled airplanes could hit the market as soon as 2035.
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