TCS & Rolls-Royce team up for hydrogen fuel aviation research
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has expanded its partnership with Rolls-Royce to promote sustainable aviation through advanced research into hydrogen fuel systems. This collaboration aims to address the pressing need for zero-carbon solutions in aviation as the industry strives to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
TCS will provide its expertise in the aircraft manufacturing industry to support Rolls-Royce in several key engineering tasks, including system design, component design, supply chain support, and program management. These collaborative efforts will focus on overcoming three main challenges associated with hydrogen as an aviation fuel: fuel combustion, fuel delivery, and the integration of fuel systems with an engine. Ensuring the safe operation of all these components is crucial to the project’s success.
Alan Newby, Director of Research and Technology at Rolls-Royce, expressed enthusiasm about the expanded partnership. "We welcome TCS to our hydrogen research programme and their engineering skills will play a valuable role in addressing our technology goals. We’ve already made great progress and having TCS with us gives us additional capability as we move forward on our journey to enable the energy transition for the aviation sector," he said.
The announcement was made at the Farnborough International Airshow, where TCS highlighted its technological capabilities within the aviation sector. This development builds upon a long-standing relationship between Rolls-Royce and the Tata Group, which has included collaborations in engine manufacturing and supply chain commitments. TCS has been working with Rolls-Royce since 2010, supporting various aspects of design, manufacturing engineering, control systems, software, and after-market services.
Anupam Singhal, President of Manufacturing at TCS, commented on the partnership’s significance. "The partnership between TCS and Rolls-Royce is an exciting one that represents a powerful alliance in the quest for sustainable aviation solutions. We are aligned with Rolls-Royce’s ambition for a greener future. This partnership is the perfect opportunity to put our technological strengths and passion for the environment to use for advancing innovation and fostering an eco-friendlier aerospace sector," he said.
As part of their collaborative efforts, TCS will focus on system design, component design, supply chain support, and program management, to assist Rolls-Royce in researching hydrogen technology. The goal is to ensure that all elements—fuel combustion, fuel delivery, and fuel systems integration—can operate safely within an aviation context.
Regu Ayyaswamy, Senior Vice President and Global Head of Internet of Things and Digital Engineering at TCS, highlighted the long-term collaboration between the two companies. "TCS and Rolls-Royce have been partners in advancing engineering excellence for nearly a decade. The new partnership for research into hydrogen fuel systems represents a pivotal next step at a time when the aviation industry is faced with the urgent challenge of reducing carbon emissions while maintaining performance and efficiency. It aligns well with TCS’ commitment to harness technology for positive societal impact and building a greener future," he said.
TCS has set ambitious sustainability targets, including reducing its absolute emissions by 70% across Scope 1 and Scope 2 by 2025 over a 2016 baseline and achieving net zero emissions by 2030. As of the fiscal year 2024, TCS had already reduced its absolute carbon footprint across these scopes by 80%, surpassing its goal a year ahead of schedule.
