Rolls-Royce has been researching the development of hydrogen-powered jet engines for some time (Image: Rolls-Royce)
According to Study According to the Europe Aerospace Center, global air traffic contributes 3.5 percent to global warming. Two British companies, Rolls-Royce and easyJet, have successfully tested a jet engine powered by green hydrogen instead of kerosene.
The ambitious goal of the two companies is the complete elimination of greenhouse gases caused by air traffic. However, the implementation is very difficult and will probably take some time, because the possible range of such engines must also be taken into account. The Guardian Sea
The test was on the ground in the test facility MoD Boscombe Down
conducted in Wiltshire, southern England. A modified Rolls-Royce AE 2100-A engine was used for this. The green hydrogen was supplied by EMEC (European Marine Energy Centre).
This was produced exclusively with renewable energies, which makes the whole project meaningful. Our planet would not benefit from reducing airspace emissions with hydrogen produced from fossil fuels. The two British companies are therefore particularly proud that the entire process relies on green energy and that no CO² is released into the atmosphere.
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Emission-free flying still faces a number of hurdles
#racetozero. The goal is flying completely without emitting greenhouse gases (Image: Rolls-Royce)
Not only the green production of hydrogen is a challenge, but also the required amount. As mentioned in the introduction, a Boeing 747 powered by kerosene can travel a distance four times longer than when powered by hydrogen. This would also mean that all aircraft intended to be powered by H² would have to be redesigned to accommodate the necessary fuel.
Under these conditions, hydrogen-powered aircraft will probably only be used in small aircraft or on short-haul flights. According to one Message According to the European Commission, the first passenger aircraft could be ready for flights with a maximum distance of 3,000 kilometers from 2035.
While Rolls-Royce has carried out this project in direct partnership with easyJet, they also supply more than 400 other airlines. These include Boeing and Airbus, which are also researching the use of hydrogen as a fuel source.
So it will still be a while before air traffic is really green. The French government is already taking a big step forward for more green energy next year. You can read more about it here:
Multi-storey car parks instead of nuclear power plants: how France intends to supply more green energy in the near future
Do you have concerns about using hydrogen as a fuel? For example, would you buy a plane ticket that is significantly more expensive, but the flight would be completely emission-free? Tell us what you think about it in the comments!
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