Rolls-Royce has completed the first successful tests of the world’s biggest jet engine, the UltraFan. The UK engineering business, which is headquartered in Derby and has a base near Bristol, says when it goes into operation the engine will offers a 25 per cent fuel efficiency improvement on the first generation of Trent engines.
The initial demonstrator tests have been completed at the world’s biggest jet engine testbed, which was installed at couple of years ago in Derby following a £90 million investment. The tests were done using 100 per cent Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) provided by Air bp – as part of Rolls-Royce's ambition to help aviation reach net zero carbon by 2050. Current jet engines are among the biggest contributors to global carbon emissions.
The chemical and physical characteristics of the sustainable fuel – which comes from sources such as cooking oil, plant oils, municipal waste, waste gases, and agricultural residues – are almost identical to conventional jet fuel and can be safely mixed with it.
