Rolls-Royce tests hydrogen-powered turbine engine

Rolls-Royce has performed a successful test of running a hydrogen-powered commercial aircraft engine. The test was conducted on the AE 2100 test engine that Rolls-Royce presented in September on a conference about net zero aviation.

Simple Flying reports that the test offered proof that a jet engine using hydrogen can be started up and run at low speed. Based on that, the initial ground test has succeeded. The test is part of a multi-million-pound hydrogen engine and carbon removal project. Operating hydrogen-powered engines are perceived to be an important step towards zero-emission aviation. The first zero-emission commercial aircraft using hydrogen technology could be in service by 2023.

The tests are carried out on two Rolls-Royce engines, the AE 2100 turboprop and the Pearl 15 jet engine, used on the Bombardier Global Express 5500 and 6500 business aircraft. The next aim is to demonstrate that a jet engine can run and be controlled using hydrogen fuel.