Virgin Atlantic and Rolls-Royce immediately affirm the profitable Sustainable Aviation Gas (SAF) mix floor check on the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engine. The check marks a key milestone within the challenge which is able to see the world’s first 100% SAF flight journey throughout the Atlantic from London Heathrow to New York JFK on a Boeing 787, set to take off on 28 November 2023.
Along with the check, gasoline suppliers Air bp and Virent have been introduced to produce the 60 tonnes of SAF for use on this planet first, supporting consortium analysis, testing and the flight itself. The SAF might be produced by way of the Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA) pathway in addition to artificial fragrant kerosene (SAK) SAF at an 88% and 12% mix ratio.
Virgin Atlantic is dedicated to discovering extra sustainable methods to fly on our mission to Web Zero 2050. Already working one of the gasoline and carbon environment friendly fleets throughout the Atlantic, this flight builds on the airline’s 15-year monitor report for main on SAF. Demonstrating that by way of radical collaboration, trade can ship 100% SAF in immediately’s engine, airframes and gasoline infrastructure for lengthy haul flight. However collectively the trade should go additional, to develop a UK SAF trade and meet aviation’s 10% SAF by 2030.
SAF sometimes delivers CO2 life cycle emissions financial savings of greater than 70% while performing like conventional jet gasoline. SAF has a basic function to play in aviation’s decarbonisation and pathway to Web Zero 2050. At present, SAF represents lower than 0.1% of jet gasoline volumes and gasoline requirements permit for only a 50% SAF mix in industrial jet engines. The one-off Virgin Atlantic flight in November will display the potential of SAF as a 100% drop-in alternative for fossil gasoline immediately.
The realisation of the 100% SAF transatlantic flight taking to the skies is a difficult job requiring cross trade collaboration and devoted challenge groups engaged on the analysis, testing and operations to make it occur. The Virgin Atlantic led consortium, joint funded by the Division for Transport, contains Rolls Royce, Boeing, College of Sheffield, Imperial School London and Rocky Mountain Institute. The profitable bench engine check is a key milestone, nevertheless additional permissions and security approvals are required for the flight to take off in November.
Virgin Atlantic and the consortium will leverage the 100% SAF transatlantic flight to additional SAF use, in addition to addressing different environmental impacts of the sector. The challenge will display additional reductions in CO2 from operational efficiencies, contribute to analysis and improvement into the non-CO2 results of flying, and supply an end-to-end life cycle evaluation of the flight. Any residual CO2 emissions from the flight might be mitigated utilizing revolutionary carbon removals from biochar tasks.
Shai Weiss, CEO, Virgin Atlantic, commented: “The 100% Sustainable Aviation Gas transatlantic flight might be a historic second in aviation’s roadmap to decarbonisation. Alongside fleet transformation, SAF is probably the most available approach for our trade to decarbonise, however presently there’s not sufficient provide and with out it and the novel collaboration required to provide it, we are able to’t meet our 2030 targets. We want UK authorities assist to create a UK SAF trade to permit for each single flight out of the UK to function with 100% SAF – if we make it, we are able to fly it.”
Rob Watson, President – Civil Aerospace, Rolls-Royce, mentioned: “We’re extremely proud that our Trent 1000 engines will energy the primary ever flight utilizing 100% Sustainable Aviation Gas throughout the Atlantic. Confirming that we have now efficiently accomplished the bottom check of the Trent 1000 engine immediately, utilizing the chosen 100% SAF mix, offers us elevated confidence for the engine’s efficiency and operation forward of the flight this November. The flight will signify an unbelievable milestone for your complete aviation trade in its journey in the direction of web zero carbon emissions.”
Aviation Minister, Baroness Vere of Norbiton, commented: “A yr on from the launch of our Jet Zero Technique, I’m delighted that Virgin Atlantic has confirmed the primary ever transatlantic flight powered solely by Sustainable Aviation Gas will take off this winter. Because of authorities funding, this flight might be an enormous step in the direction of web zero and showcase the potential of SAF – creating jobs and serving to to develop our economic system.”
Andreea Moyes, World Head of Sustainability, Air bp, mentioned: “We’re thrilled to be supplying Sustainable Aviation Gas for the world’s first 100% SAF transatlantic flight. SAF is presently probably the most viable choice to assist us meet the trade’s web zero ambition and within the brief and medium time period it is going to be the one choice for long-haul flights. Transferring our trade and coverage in the direction of the usage of 100% SAF is necessary as we work in collaboration with key stakeholders to assist decarbonize aviation.”
Dave Kettner, President & Common Counsel, Virent mentioned: “With Virent’s plant-based Synthesized Fragrant Kerosene (SAK) offering important gasoline elements, this check confirmed that 100% drop-in renewable gasoline is cleaner burning and can work seamlessly in immediately’s industrial airline engines. We’re honored to collaborate with Virgin Atlantic, Rolls-Royce and Air bp as these forward-looking firms prepared the ground in sustainable aviation. Virent shares their dedication to discovering sustainable methods to fly, and we’re excited in regards to the pivotal function our BioForm® SAK performs in making that aim a actuality.”
Sheila Remes, Vice President, Environmental Sustainability, Boeing mentioned: “Boeing is proud to supply technical experience and assist for this testing as we gear-up for Virgin Atlantic’s flagship Boeing 787 Dreamliner to make the primary 100% SAF transatlantic flight. We sit up for persevering with to work with our challenge companions on this journey, taking another step in the direction of a sustainable way forward for flight.”
