Derby’s Rolls-Royce has conducted the first tests of what it says is a potentially 100 per cent sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in a business jet engine.
The jet engine manufacturer said the successful test was part of its ambition to help the sectors in which it operates reach net zero carbon by 2050.
The tests were carried out in Dahlewitz, Germany, on the Pearl 700 – the latest business aviation engine in development.
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The turbine company said that a few weeks earlier the new fuel was used for the first time in engine ground tests on a Trent 1000 engine in Derby.
The fuel has been produced by low-carbon fuel specialist World Energy in Paramount, California, sourced by Shell Aviation and delivered by SkyNRG.
The chemical and physical characteristics of sustainable aviation fuel – which is produced from sources such as cooking oil, plant oils, municipal waste, waste gases, and agricultural residues – are almost identical to conventional jet fuel and can be safely mixed with it. It can also use the same supply infrastructure and does not need aircraft or engines to be adapted.
Rolls-Royce said unblended it has the potential to reduce net CO2 emissions by more than 75 per cent compared to conventional jet fuel, with the possibility of further reductions in future.
Right now it is only certified to be used in a 50/50 blend with conventional jet fuel, but can be used on all current Rolls-Royce engines.
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Dr Joerg Au, chief engineer for business aviation and engineering director for Rolls-Royce Deutschland, said: “Sustainable aviation fuels have the potential to significantly reduce the carbon emissions of our engines and combining this potential with the extraordinary performance of our Pearl engine family brings us another important step closer to enabling our customers to achieve net zero carbon emissions.”
Rolls-Royce says the Pearl 700 is already more efficient than similar engines, with a low pressure system that results in more take-off thrust, a better thrust-to-weight ratio and 5 per cent more efficiency.
Paul Stein, Rolls-Royce chief technology officer, said: “Aviation is a tremendous force for good, keeping the world connected, but we have to do that sustainably.
“These tests aim to show that we can deliver real emissions reductions. If SAF production can be scaled up – and aviation needs 500 million tonnes a year by 2050 – we can make a huge contribution for our planet.”
Gene Gebolys, chief executive and founder of World Energy, said: “World Energy exists to empower leaders to innovate by providing the world’s most advanced low carbon fuels.
“Rolls-Royce is putting their technological prowess to work to understand how to maximise their potential in engines and we are proud to support them.”
Theye Veen, the managing director of SkyNRG, said: “This programme is a great example of what can be achieved when companies from across the aviation value chain that share an ambition of reducing emissions work together.”
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Anna Mascolo, the president of Shell Aviation, said: “For over 100 years, Rolls-Royce and Shell have worked together to drive aviation’s progress. This collaboration brings us one step closer to decarbonising aviation.
“As well as the SAF, Shell Aviation will provide offsets using nature-based solutions to make the test net zero emissions, reinforcing how multiple measures are essential if aviation is to achieve net zero carbon dioxide emissions.”