The UK Government has announced an investment with industry of UKP113 million in hydrogen and all-electric flight technologies
Through the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) Programme, government and industry are jointly backing new zero-carbon technologies, including a project by Bristol-based electric aircraft manufacturer Vertical Aerospace to develop high-end, lightweight batteries, as well as projects led by Rolls-Royce to develop the building blocks of a liquid hydrogen combusting jet engine, which would enable flight without the carbon emissions.
In addition, the Department for Transport is launching a Call for Evidence seeking views from the sector on how to reach the target for airport operations in England to be zero emissions by 2040. The target was set as part of the government’s Jet Zero Strategy, launched in July last year.
According to a UK government press release:
“The investment will be announced at the seventh meeting of the Jet Zero Council, a partnership between government and industry that’s been set up to fast-track ambitions for zero-emission flight by 2050 through investment and focus on advanced technologies and sustainable aviation fuels, as laid out in the Jet Zero Strategy….”
Details of new projects awarded funding through the ATI Programme include:
- Hydrogen Engine System Technologies (HYEST) led by Rolls-Royce – UKP14.8 million project to develop technologies and sub-system architecture for the combustor element of a liquid hydrogen gas turbine
- Robustly Achievable Combustion of Hydrogen Engine Layout (RACHEL) led by Rolls-Royce – UKP36.6 million project to develop key technologies and integrated powerplant architecture for a liquid hydrogen gas turbine
- Liquid Hydrogen Gas Turbine (LH2GT) led by Rolls-Royce – UKP31.4 million project to develop technologies for the delivery of a liquid hydrogen fuel system for a hydrogen gas turbine
- Category Enhanced Battery Development (CEBD) led by Vertical Aerospace – UKP30.8 million focused on developing a prototype propulsion battery system for aerospace applications, including as part of Vertical Aerospace’s electric vertical take off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft
For more information
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/over-110-million-to-unlock-zero-emission-guilt-free-flights
(Image:Vertical Aerospace)