Rolls-Royce has announced that it has just conducted its first tests on a 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) that is suitable for business jets. The tests are part of Rolls-Royce’s commitment to help areas in which it is involved to operate at net zero carbon by 2050.
The tests were performed using the company’s latest business aviation engine in development, the Pearl 700, in Dahlewitz in Germany and follows on from the first use of SAF in engine ground tests on the Trent 100 engine in Derby, the U.K. According to Rolls-Royce, this test demonstrates once again that its current engines for large civil and business jet applications can operate with 100% SAF as a full “drop-in” option, laying the groundwork for moving this type of fuel towards certification.
At present, SAF is only certified for blends of up to 50% with conventional jet fuel and can be used on all current Rolls-Royce engines. The SAF used in the tests was produced by low-carbon fuel specialist World Energy in Paramount, California, sourced by Shell Aviation and delivered by SkyNRG. This unblended fuel has the potential to reduce net CO2 lifecycle emissions by more than 75% when compared to conventional jet fuel, and possibly more. Dr Joerg Au, Chief Engineer – Business Aviation and Engineering Director 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.”
The highly efficient Pearl 700 combines the Advance2 engine core, the most efficient core available across the business aviation sector, with a brand-new low-pressure system, resulting in an 8% increase in take-off thrust at 18,250lb compared to the BR725 engine. The engine offers a 12% better thrust-to-weight ratio and 5% higher efficiency, while maintaining its class-leading low noise and emissions performance.