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Hydrogen power

Fuelling a cleaner tomorrow

Powering decarbonisation

Hydrogen’s environmental credentials are attracting increased attention.

We see an important role for hydrogen in helping to lower transport emissions, as well as for energy storage, home heating and powering smaller aircraft using fuel cells. Our leading-edge hydrogen aircraft programme will conduct a comprehensive series of rig and engine tests to prove the fuel can safely and efficiently deliver power for small-mid size aircraft from the mid-2030s onwards, with ambitions to move this on to a flight test phase in the long term.

We are pioneers of power and our new hydrogen programme puts us in a great position to pave the way to make hydrogen and hybrid-electric systems a reality. Combined with our work on Sustainable Aviation Fuel and further gas turbine efficiency, we are making real progress on the hard yards of research and development towards making Net Zero flight a reality.”

Chris Cholerton, President Civil Aerospace, Rolls-Royce

Hydrogen-powered flight

Hydrogen can be a source of electrical power or used as a direct fuel for aircraft.

The last 20-years have seen several demonstrator aircraft powered by hydrogen fuel cells. Our research shows that hydrogen fuel cells have the potential to be a substitute for electric batteries in power hybrid or all-electric small commuter aircraft, where they can offer greater energy storage and faster refuelling. There are, however many technology challenges to overcome before these systems are commercially available. Hydrogen fuel cells will probably be limited to medium to low power applications where the power requirements are lower.

While hydrogen can also be used directly as a fuel in a gas turbine, it is likely to start in the shorter haul segments, where the aircraft range is shorter. Given volume limitations attached to the storage of hydrogen and the limited power density of fuel cells, for long range, SAF fuelling gas turbines will remain the most likely solution moving forward. Hydrogen will offer options in shorter range segments and has the potential to progress onto larger segments, as the technology is proven and hydrogen fuel becomes more readily available. To support this, we are investigating the feasibility of hydrogen-burning gas turbine engines, whilst continuing to promote SAF as the more mature technology.

Pioneering hydrogen engine combustion

We are working with easyJet to develop hydrogen combustion engine capabilities capable of powering a range of aircraft, including those in the narrow-body market segment.

The partnership, combining Rolls-Royce’s expertise in engine development and combustion systems with easyJet’s operational knowledge and experience, will support a series of ground tests that will further our commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Hydrogen power systems

Our Power Systems business is focusses on building a sustainable future for drive, propulsion and power generation. We have also launched an ambitious new program, Net Zero at Power Systems, gearing our product portfolio towards greater sustainability.

We are developing a range of products based on hydrogen fuel cells, which mix compressed hydrogen with oxygen from the air and emit only water. Our mtu Series 500 and Series 4000 engines are ready for 25% hydrogen and from next year, 2023, all mtu engines and conversion kits will be available for 100% hydrogen. Hydrogen has the benefit of being available in almost unlimited quantities when chemically combined with other elements.

We’re also working on integrated generator solutions powered by fuel cells for use in safety-critical facilities such as data centres. These will offer CO2 neutral alternatives to diesel engine generators used in emergency power or to cover peak loads.

Andreas Schell, CEO, Rolls-Royce Power Systems

“Green hydrogen, made with electricity from renewable sources is the major factor for sector coupling in the energy sector. Fuel cells, fueled with this green hydrogen, will play a key role in the decarbonisation of drive systems and power supply. No other technology offers such high reliability, modular scalability and the advantages of renewable energy without dependence on the conventional energy market.”

Hydrogen opportunities and challenges for SMRs

We believe hydrogen has significant potential in the energy sector, but major obstacles remain in aviation.

Only hydrogen produced using renewable energy sources is truly carbon neutral. Most in use today is made using coal and gas. We are looking at ways to scale up hydrogen production. Compact nuclear power stations based on the Small Modular Reactors we are developing could power the production of green hydrogen.

Importantly, hydrogen’s volumetric energy density does not compare with that of kerosene. That means hydrogen-powered aircraft need to have bigger fuel tanks than their conventionally-fuelled equivalents to travel the same distances. Radical aircraft design changes would be needed to adapt to these requirements.

At present, hydrogen cannot provide sufficient energy for long-range flights, for which drop-in SAFs are the only current option to decarbonise existing fleets. We will, however, continue to research its potential.

Producing hydrogen: Electrolyzers

With hydrogen an increasingly attractive power source to fuel the green energy transition and demand for zero carbon ‘green’ hydrogen expected to rise significantly, Rolls-Royce is entering the hydrogen production market. We have acquired a 54% majority stake in electrolysis stack specialist Hoeller Electrolyzer and this innovative technology will form the basis of a new range of mtu electrolyzer products within our Power Systems division.

By developing our own mtu electrolyzers and taking a majority stake in Hoeller Electrolyzers, we can supply complete hydrogen solutions and make a significant contribution to protecting the climate. Our complete hydrogen solutions will enable customers to store renewably produced energy in the form of hydrogen for use as and when required, or for further processing or onward sale.”

Dr. Otto Preiss, COO and Chief Technology Officer, Rolls-Royce Power Systems