Low-cost airline easyJet and engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce set a new milestone with the successful completion of the world’s first test of a hydrogen-powered aero engine. The European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) supplied the hydrogen.

The exercise was carried out using a converted Rolls-Royce AE 2100-A powered by green hydrogen created by wind and tidal power.

«It marks a major step towards proving that hydrogen could be a zero carbon aviation fuel of the future and is a key proof point in the decarbonisation strategies of both Rolls-Royce and easyJet», the British carrier said in a press release.

Flight test, the main goal in the near future

According to both companies, a second series of tests will be carried out in the near future to advance the use of this type of energy in aircraft engines. The ultimate goal of the t work is to complete a flight test to enable the safe and efficient use of hydrogen in commercial aviation.

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

«We are committed to continuing to this ground-breaking research because hydrogen offers great possibilities for a range of aircraft», said Johan Lundgren, CEO of easyJet. «That will be a huge step forward in meeting the challenge of net zero by 2050», he added.

«The success of this hydrogen test is an exciting milestone», said Grazia Vittadini, Rolls-Royce’s Chief Technology Officer. «We are pushing the boundaries to discover the zero carbon possibilities of hydrogen, which could help reshape the future of flight», she concluded.

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