GE Aerospace and NASA develop hybrid electric engine

GE Aerospace is developing a hybrid electric demonstrator engine with NASA that will integrate electric motor/generators into a high-bypass commercial turbofan to supplement power during different phases of operation.

This involves modifying a passport engine with hybrid electric components for testing under NASA's Hybrid Thermally Efficient Core (HyTEC) project. It is one of several initiatives GE Aerospace is pursuing to advance technologies for more electric aircraft engines, as part of the CFM International revolutionary innovation for sustainable engines (RISE) programme.

The embedded electric motor/generators will optimise engine performance by creating a system that can function with or without energy storage, such as batteries. This could help expedite the introduction of hybrid electric technologies for commercial aviation before energy storage solutions are fully matured.

“Together with NASA, GE Aerospace is conducting critical research and development that could help make hybrid electric commercial flight possible,” said Arjan Hegeman, General Manager of Future of Flight Technologies at GE Aerospace.

Initial component-level testing of electric motor/generators and power electronics has been completed for the HyTEC turbofan engine power extraction demonstration. Systems testing took place at GE Aerospace's EPISCenter in Dayton, Ohio. Additionally, a baseline test of the Passport engine to characterise performance before hybrid electric components are added was completed at the company's Peebles Test Operation, also in Ohio.

Results of the hybrid electric component and baseline engine tests are being used to evaluate and update models in preparation for a ground test.

“We're advancing state-of-the-art propulsion systems for next-generation commercial aircraft with an important aim — to drive industry efforts to improve efficiency and reduce emissions compared to today's aircraft engines,” Hegeman said.

NASA recently awarded GE Aerospace a contract for Phase 2 of the HyTEC project to continue developing technologies for an aircraft engine core demonstrator test later this decade. Phase 2 builds on the work completed in Phase 1 of HyTEC for high-pressure compressor and high-pressure turbine advanced aerodynamics, as well as the combustor.