UK aerospace gets £45m to meet global low carbon demand

Elaine Brass

13th February 2010

The UK’s position as a world leader in the low carbon aerospace industry was boosted this week as the Government announced a £45 million research and development programme into more fuel-efficient and lower carbon aero engines.

The Strategic Investment in Low Carbon Engine Technology (SILOET) programme is being overseen by the Technology Strategy Board (TSB) and will back new partnerships between leading UK aerospace engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce and universities, such as Birmingham, Nottingham and Bristol, around the UK.

Aviation is currently estimated to account for around two per cent of global CO2 emissions and six per cent of UK CO2 emissions, and unchecked those emissions are set to grow significantly over the next three decades.

According to the Department for Business, Innovations and Skills a “step change” in technology is needed to meet the Government’s target to limit UK carbon dioxide emissions from aviation to below 2005 levels by 2050.

The aim is for SILOET to provide some of the answers to this challenge. It will research into areas such as developing lighter fans that reduce fuel consumption, simulation technology for virtual engineering, and creating new, affordable high temperature alloys to improve fuel efficiency.

Rolls-Royce sets up new factory in North East

Rolls-Royce has announced that it is establishing a new manufacturing base in the North East to facilitate lower carbon aero engine production and is already working on new 'open rotor' engine technology that promises to deliver a 30 per cent cut in carbon emissions per aircraft.

Business Secretary Lord Mandelson, who announced the SILOET programme this week, said: “The knowledge, skills and high-end production the UK offers give us huge opportunities to benefit as global demand for low carbon products grows. These new projects will help our world-class aerospace industry to meet that growing low carbon demand.

“Rolls-Royce represents some of the best of British advanced manufacturing. Its plan to site a new factory in the North East underlines the company’s commitment to British manufacturing excellence.”

Ric Parker, director of Research and Technology, Rolls-Royce, said: "This is a good example of Government, industry and academia coming together to expand Britain's capabilities in high value added manufacturing. The innovative, high value-added work that the SILOET programme is addressing will influence future aero-engine architecture and help to further reduce the impact of aviation on the environment."

The TSB announced a similar programme last July – the £40 million Strategic Affordable Manufacturing in the UK with Leading Environmental Technology (SAMULET).