- Major milestone toward hybrid electric flight for commercial
passenger air travel
- World’s first megawatt-class (high power) and multi-kilovolt
(high voltage) hybrid electric system tested in altitude
conditions
- Altitude integration test completed at NASA’s NEAT
facility
- One MW could power more than 600 houses*
At the Farnborough International Airshow, GE announced it
completed the world’s first test of a megawatt (MW)-class and
multi-kilovolt (kV) hybrid electric propulsion system in altitude
conditions that simulate single-aisle commercial flight.
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GE completes the world's first test of a
megawatt (MW)-class and multi-kilovolt (kV) hybrid electric
propulsion system in altitude conditions that simulate single-aisle
commercial flight. (Photo: Business Wire)
The test of the high power, high voltage system — including
electric motor/generators, power converters, power transmission and
power control systems — successfully demonstrated performance and
operation of the components in a replicated flight environment.
This helps validate the architecture of the hybrid electric
propulsion systems GE is developing. It’s also an important,
necessary step in GE’s technology programs with NASA to develop a
hybrid electric propulsion system for flight tests later this
decade and for entry into service in the mid-2030s.
The altitude integration test of the system began in June 2021
and was completed earlier this year at NASA’s Electric Aircraft
Testbed (NEAT) facility in Sandusky, Ohio. To represent the right
and left engine side of an aircraft, two sets of a hybrid electric
system were operated in conditions up to 45,000 feet, simulating
the electrical loads required to help optimize the engines and
propel and power an aircraft.
“We’re making aviation history by developing the technology to
help make hybrid electric flight possible for everyday commercial
air travel,” said Mohamed Ali, vice president and general manager
of engineering for GE Aerospace.
“GE is proud to be a longstanding partner with NASA for
development of new aviation technologies. Together, we just passed
a key milestone by successfully concluding the world’s first test
of a high power, high voltage hybrid electric system at altitude
conditions. We appreciate the collaboration to make this possible.
This is one of many milestones in our journey with NASA towards
demonstrating a hybrid electric aircraft engine system for a more
sustainable future of flight,” Ali said.
The NEAT facility where testing took place is a NASA
reconfigurable testbed used to design, develop, assemble and test
electric aircraft power systems.
“NASA’s unique NEAT facility is the only testing location
capable of simultaneously providing both high-electric power and
high-altitude conditions in an area large enough to fit an entire
electric powertrain, and we are proud to see this test with GE come
to a successful conclusion. This facility has become highly sought
after by GE and others across the aviation community, and it is
critical to supporting the agency’s goal of developing technologies
that will enable and support future climate change adaptation
initiatives,” said Bob Pearce, associate administrator for NASA’s
Aeronautics Mission Research Directorate.
“At NEAT, we are able to test a high-voltage powertrain system
in flight altitude conditions without leaving the ground, thereby
reducing major safety risks in a timely manner. With the ground
testing completed, we are now well positioned to move to the next
phase of our agreement with GE, an actual electric aircraft flight
demonstration,” Pearce added.
About the altitude integration test
Components were tested independently and as an integrated
system. Additionally, multiple operational modes were evaluated,
including power transfer from side to side, power assist to a
simulated engine, and aircraft power generation. The implementation
of energy storage was also simulated.
MWs measure electrical power and kVs measure the difference in
electrical potential between two points, equivalent to the pressure
used to drive fluid through a pipe. A kV-class system enables high
efficiency and specific power. Successfully testing a kV system in
altitude conditions is significant because the interaction of
voltage and the environment is different at higher altitudes than
on the ground. kV-class systems are significantly more difficult to
manage at altitude.
What’s next for hybrid electric flight
Future tests will continue as part of the Electrified Powertrain
Flight Demonstration (EPFD) project that was announced by NASA in
September 2021, including testing of the hybrid electric system
connected to GE’s CT7 turboprop engines. Eventually, this will lead
to a flight test later this decade of the hybrid electric system on
a CT7-powered Saab 340B plane.
Boeing is partnering with GE to support the flight tests for
EPFD. Boeing and its subsidiary Aurora Flight Sciences is providing
the aircraft, aircraft modification, aircraft integration and
flight-testing services. That work includes nacelle manufacturing,
flight deck interface design and software, aircraft-level
performance analysis, and systems integration.
GE sustainability goals
More information on how GE is helping the aviation industry
decarbonize, including a link to GE’s 2021 Sustainability Report,
is available at www.GEAviation.com/Future-of-Flight. The recently
released Sustainability Report outlines GE’s approach to achieving
its 2050 net zero ambition for sold products, including guiding
principles, progress to date and planned investments into new
technology maturation.
Hybrid electric propulsion technologies can help reduce fuel
usage, reduce CO2 emissions and optimize engine performance.
Electrification technologies being developed by GE are also
compatible with Sustainable Aviation Fuel, hydrogen, advanced
engine architectures such as open fan, and new compact engine core
designs.
*Calculated based on average annual electricity consumption for
residential customers in the U.S. available from the U.S. Energy
Information Administration.
ABOUT GE
GE Aviation, an operating unit of GE (NYSE: GE), is becoming GE
Aerospace. The business is a world-leading provider of jet engines,
components and systems for commercial and military aircraft with a
global service network to support these offerings. With an
installed base of 39,400 commercial and 26,200 military aircraft
engines, the business is playing a vital role in shaping the future
of flight.
View source
version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220719005415/en/
Chelsey Levingston, GE Aviation 513-720-6458
chelsey.levingston@ge.com
Brian Newbacher, NASA’s Glenn Research Center 440-433-5644
(office) 216-469-9726 (mobile) brian.t.newbacher@nasa.gov
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