Rolls-Royce (LON: RR.) and EasyJet (LON: EZJ) announced Monday that they conducted the world’s first run of a modern aircraft engine on hydrogen.
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EasyJet shares declined almost 3% Monday and are down more than 4% so far on Tuesday after the airline posted its full-year results. Meanwhile, Rolls-Royce shares declined 2.45% during Monday’s session and are currently up 1%.
The test, which took place at an outdoor facility at MoD Boscombe Down, UK, using a converted Rolls-Royce AE 2100-A regional aircraft engine, is said to be a “major” step in proving hydrogen could be used as a zero-carbon aviation fuel in the future as governments continue to push for businesses to move away from fossil fuels. EasyJet said it is a “key proof point in the decarbonisation strategies” of both companies.
The green hydrogen that the companies used in the test was supplied by EMEC (European Marine Energy Centre).
Rolls-Royce and EasyJet are already planning a second set of tests and have a longer-term ambition to carry out flight tests. After analysis of the ground test, the companies will plan a series of further rig tests, which will lead up to a full-scale ground test of a Rolls-Royce Pearl 15 jet engine.
Rolls-Royce Chief Technology Officer Grazia Vittadini said the success of the test “is an exciting milestone.”
“We only announced our partnership with easyJet in July and we are already off to an incredible start with this landmark achievement,” he added.
EasyJet CEO Johan Lundgren said: “We are committed to continuing to support this ground-breaking research because hydrogen offers great possibilities for a range of aircraft, including easyJet-sized aircraft. That will be a huge step forward in meeting the challenge of net zero by 2050.”
