Leading industrial technology company Rolls-Royce and Norwegian regional airline Widerøe have launched a joint research programme on zero-emissions aviation.
The programme is part of the airline's ambition to replace and electrify its regional fleet of more than 30 planes by 2030. The news was announced at a Clean Aerospace event at the British Embassy in Oslo Norway.
The aim of the programme is to develop an electrical aircraft concept, not only to fulfil the Norwegian ambition of zero-emissions by 2030, but also to replace Widerøe’s legacy fleet of regional aircraft world-wide.
Rolls-Royce will use its in-depth electrical and systems design expertise to help advise on all elements of the project. The initial phase, which involves operational studies and concept proofing, is already underway, with expert teams in Norway and the UK working closely together on a daily basis.
The Norwegian Government has announced ambitious goals for the aviation industry, aiming for emission-free domestic aviation by 2040.
In a statement, Norwegian Government and Innovation Norway, and the Minister of Climate and Environment, Ola Elvestuen said: “Our major short runway network of local flights in the coastal and northern parts of the country is ideal for electrification, and our abundant access to clean electricity means this is an opportunity we cannot miss. We are determined to show the world that this is possible, and many will be surprised at how fast it will happen.”
Rolls-Royce already has a high-tech electrical research facility based in the Norwegian city of Trondheim, employing a group of people dedicated to finding solutions for emission-free aviation, who are taking part in this initiative.
The joint programme has received support from Innovation Norway, the governmental innovation support fund and is expected to last for tw years.