Rolls-Royce joins Boeing, World Energy for successful 100% SAF flight

Photo: Rolls-Royce

Rolls-Royce, working with Boeing and World Energy, has carried out a successful test flight of its 747 Flying Testbed aircraft using 100 percent sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) on a Trent 1000 engine.

The aircraft flew from Tucson airport in Arizona, passing over New Mexico and Texas, with a Trent 1000 engine running solely on 100 percent SAF while the remaining three RB211 engines ran on standard jet fuel, arriving back at the airport three hours and 54 minutes later. Initial indications confirm there were no engineering issues, providing further proof of the fuel’s suitability for commercial use.

Rolls-Royce has continued to pioneer the adoption of 100 percent SAF, and validation of this test adds to those already carried out on its Trent XWB and Pearl engines, both on the ground and in the air. Last week it confirmed that all of its Trent engines will be compatible with 100 percent SAF by 2023 and also called for further ambition and collaboration across the aviation sector, and with governments, to enable the transition of long-haul aviation towards net zero ahead of aviation goals set by the UN Race to Zero.

Aircraft are currently only certified to operate on a maximum of 50 percent SAF blended with conventional jet fuel and Rolls-Royce continues to support efforts to certify nonblended SAF. This is particularly important to support sustainability in long-distance air travel, which will require the power density of gas turbines for years to come.

The flight was carried out in close collaboration with Boeing, which provided technical support and oversight on aircraft modifications and assurance the aircraft systems would operate as expected with 100 percent SAF. World Energy, the world’s first and America’s only commercial-scale SAF production company, provided the low-carbon fuel for the flight.

The need to significantly increase the production of SAF was recognized recently by the Biden administration with the launch of a Sustainable Aviation Fuel Grand Challenge to produce 3 billion gallons of the fuel a year by 2030. This will form part of a wider aviation climate action plan to be released in the coming months. The European Commission has also created a ReFuelEU Aviation proposal that would mandate the incorporation of SAF supplied at EU airports. This would increase to 63 percent by 2050.

“We believe in air travel as a force for cultural good, but we also recognize the need to take action to decarbonize our industry,” said Simon Burr with Rolls-Royce. “This flight is another example of collaboration across the value chain to make sure all the aircraft technology solutions are in place to enable a smooth introduction of 100 percent SAF into our industry.”

Sheila Remes, an executive with Boeing, said, “It is an honor to partner with Rolls-Royce and World Energy on this 100 percent SAF flight. Its success further illustrates that SAF can fully replace conventional jet fuel over the long term and is a viable renewable energy solution to decarbonize aviation over the next 20 to 30 years.”

Gene Gebolys, CEO of World Energy, said, “As the world’s first and the U.S.’s only SAF producer, we’re grateful for the trailblazing work our partners are doing. Rolls-Royce’s work to prove the viability of powering the jet engines they make with the 100 percent renewable SAF we make lays the groundwork for fossil fuel-free flight. This work is incredibly important, and we applaud and appreciate Rolls-Royce for working with us to do it.”

The Rolls-Royce Flying Testbed is used to carry out a variety of engine-related tests that improve efficiency and durability, as well as support its decarbonization strategy.