Rolls-Royce has broken ground on a new test facility for full-scale hydrogen-powered gas turbine engines in collaboration with partner easyJet and NASA.
This project, a combined effort with easyJet, will be situated at NASA’s Stennis Space Center in Mississippi.
Expanding a longstanding partnership with NASA that stretches back decades, this marks the third Rolls-Royce test stand at Stennis.
The joint venture delves into a vast spectrum of aerospace technologies, aiming to propel the industry forward.
This program aligns with Rolls-Royce’s ambitious vision: achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050 while fulfilling the world’s ever-growing need for power.
Upcoming Pearl 15 Hydrogen Testing
The upcoming tests will showcase the seamless integration of technologies required for a modified Rolls-Royce Pearl 15 engine to operate entirely on hydrogen fuel.
To achieve this milestone, Rolls-Royce has joined forces with the engineering expertise of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS).
Rolls-Royce’s commitment extends beyond hydrogen research. The company remains dedicated to enhancing gas turbine engines, actively promoting the use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF).
At the same time, it is exploring other forms of power, including increased electrification.
Stakeholder Comments
Deborah Robinson, Director of Test & Experimental Engineering at Rolls-Royce, emphasizes the company’s leading role in developing technologies crucial for achieving net zero by 2050.
Robinson highlights the excitement surrounding the partnership with industry leaders like easyJet and NASA.
This aims to unlock the potential of hydrogen as a viable alternative fuel for decarbonizing the aviation sector.
David Morgan, Chief Operating Officer at easyJet, expresses his delight at the progress made through the partnership with Rolls-Royce.
He emphasizes the significance of conducting the next phase of testing at a renowned NASA facility. Morgan views the journey from conceptual design to full engine testing with 100% hydrogen in just a few years as a remarkable feat.
This collaboration brings easyJet closer to its vision of operating zero-carbon hydrogen-powered aircraft in the near future.
John Bailey, Director of NASA Stennis, welcomes the opportunity to work with Rolls-Royce on this leading project.
He acknowledges the engine manufacturer’s long-standing presence as a valued tenant at Stennis and expresses excitement about working together on this noteworthy endeavor.
Regu Ayyaswamy, Senior Vice President and Global Head of IoT & Digital Engineering at TCS, emphasizes the significance of TCS’s participation in the hydrogen system program. This builds upon a decade-long partnership built on engineering excellence.
Ayyaswamy assures continued leverage of TCS’s technological expertise to support Rolls-Royce’s pursuit of a clean alternative to traditional jet fuel.
He highlights the critical role of technology in the development of hydrogen fuel systems and expresses TCS’s pride in partnering with Rolls-Royce on this journey towards sustainable aviation.
Unveiling the Power of Hydrogen
The testing scheduled at NASA Stennis signifies the culmination of a comprehensive, global program. This was designed to demonstrate the safety and efficiency of hydrogen as a fuel source for powering aerospace engines.
Rolls-Royce’s hydrogen research is further bolstered by the support of various programs.
- UK’s Aerospace Technology Institute (HyEST, RACHEL, and LH2GT programs),
- Germany’s LUFO 6 WOTAN program, and
- European Union’s Clean Aviation (CAVENDISH) program.
In a historic achievement in 2022, easyJet and Rolls-Royce successfully ran a modern Rolls-Royce AE2100 aero engine on 100% green hydrogen at Boscombe Down, UK.
Last year, another world first was achieved by Rolls-Royce. Tests conducted at the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) in Cologne, Germany, demonstrated the successful combustion of 100% hydrogen fuel.
The manufacturer tested this in a full annular combustor of a Pearl engine. It simulated conditions equivalent to maximum take off thrust.
Rolls-Royce and easyJet continue to work on the front line of developing hydrogen combustion engine technology. This advancement has the potential to power a diverse range of aircraft, including narrowbody models, by the mid-2030s.
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