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How can Rolls-Royce Defence contribute to Net Zero ambitions?

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How can Rolls-Royce Defence contribute to Net Zero ambitions?

How can Rolls-Royce Defence contribute to Net Zero ambitions?

Rolls-Royce will demonstrate capabilities that meet our mission to innovate efficient and sustainable power solutions to meet customers’ operational requirements this week at DSEI held in London.

Earlier this year, we launched our pathway to Net Zero, setting out our near-term actions to achieve net zero by 2050 at the latest. This includes the development of new technologies, enabling an accelerated take-up of sustainable fuels and driving step-change improvements in efficiency. One year on from joining the UN Race to Zero campaign, the announcement also set out plans to make all our new products compatible with net zero by 2030, and all our products in operation compatible by 2050.

Tom Bell, Rolls-Royce President – Defence, explains how our vast range of power technologies will help our customers achieve their sustainability goals

The decarbonisation of our core markets, including Defence, is a prime objective for Rolls-Royce and the development of innovative technologies across Defence will have a fundamental role to play in enabling and accelerating this transition. Across the globe, our Defence customers are increasingly becoming more focused on sustainability and are committed to finding ways for their operations to be carbon neutral. Within Rolls-Royce Defence, we have an opportunity to play a role in aiding our customers towards that goal and we are already working to achieve this.

An example of some of these areas include:

Synthetic Aviation Fuels (SAFs) in Defence applications

We want to ensure our future combat systems are compatible with net zero carbon. That’s why we’re exploring the use of SAFs and alternate fuels for programmes such as Tempest. As part of this programme, we are also looking to further advance the efficiency of our gas turbines through next generation technologies, such as the integrated power and propulsion solution and the embedded electrical starter generator.

Nuclear technologies

Nuclear technologies will be vital in the drive towards sustainability and efficiency. We are exploring a range of solutions from Small Modular Reactors to provide clean, affordable energy to micro reactors all contributing to the global decarbonisation effort.

Sustainable energy systems

Independent and reliable microgrids and sustainable energy systems that store electricity from renewable sources; deployable hybrid microgrid systems to provide general purpose power integrated with renewable energy sources, battery-hybrid propulsion technology for use in armoured vehicles and fuel-efficient directed energy solutions.

All-electric and hybrid-electric power and propulsion

All-electric and hybrid-electric power and propulsion developing sustainable, efficient, and quieter technology for aviation, marine, land and industrial applications.

Our Net Zero plans also focus on the decarbonisation of our operations

Some of our facilities will achieve this target sooner, such as our production site and Defence headquarters in Bristol, UK, which is set to be the first Rolls-Royce facility to achieve net zero carbon status in 2022, which includes implementing a micro grid on the Bristol site. We are also committed to implementing our green agenda across our other Defence sites, including those in the US.

Pioneering sustainable, Net Zero power sits at the heart of our strategy, future innovation and growth agenda. Our decarbonisation strategy will ensure that Rolls-Royce is not only compatible with, but actively enabling, a Net Zero future.