Avio Aero, part of the GE Aerospace business, has launched a new technology demonstration programme that continues to advance development of hybrid-electric propulsion technologies for commercial aviation and supports efforts to make air transport more fuel efficient to reduce CO2 emissions.
The Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking of the European Commission has awarded approximately €34 million (£30 million) over four years to a consortium led by Avio Aero for the AMBER demonstrator in a recently finalised agreement.
Plans are to mature, integrate and validate key technologies necessary for a megawatt (MW)-class hybrid-electric propulsion system powered by hydrogen fuel cells. The AMBER demonstrator will study integration of hybrid-electric components — including a motor/generator, power converters and power transmission systems — with fuel cells for rig testing in the mid-2020s using Avio Aero’s advanced catalyst turboprop engine.
Hybrid-electric propulsion technologies can help improve engine performance, while also reducing fuel usage and emissions. The hybrid-electric technologies Avio Aero and its parent company GE Aerospace are developing are also compatible with alternative fuels like Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and with advanced engine architectures such as open fan.
