Pratt & Whitney has signed a memorandum of understanding with Air bp regarding various workstreams with respect to the application of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) blends at up to 100% in Pratt & Whitney engine testing and research. The agreement reflects Pratt & Whitney’s commitment to supporting the aviation industry’s ambitious goal of reaching net-zero CO2 emissions for air travel by 2050.
As part of the agreement, the parties will work collaboratively to explore the viable supply to Pratt & Whitney of SAF blends with up to 100% SAF for engine and propulsion systems testing through 2024. In addition, the two companies aim to collaborate on researching the performance of 100% SAF in propulsion systems to provide insights and data into fuel performance and emissions reductions.
Pratt & Whitney is committed to ensuring that future generations of engines are ready to operate with 100% SAF, including the GTF AdvantageTM engine. Since entering service in 2016, the Pratt & Whitney GTF engine family has saved operators more than 600 million gallons (two billion litres) of fuel and avoided more than six million metric tonnes of CO2. Besides enabling greater use of SAF, Pratt & Whitney is developing a range of technologies to drive further reductions in CO2 emissions from future aircraft designs, including more advanced gas turbine technologies, hybrid-electric systems and hydrogen fuel technologies.
