GE Aerospace creating hybrid engines for single-aisle aircraft

GE Aerospace's Hybrid Electric Engine Initiative

GE Aerospace is currently in the development stages of a hybrid electric engine aimed at powering the next generation of narrow-body jets by the mid-2030s. This cutting-edge technology, if brought to fruition, has the potential to significantly reduce the aviation industry's carbon emissions globally, particularly those generated by single-aisle jets. Comparable to the impact of hybrid cars like the Toyota Prius on road emissions, these hybrid engines could mark a substantial step toward decarbonization in aviation, a sector notoriously difficult to transform in this way.

Reducing Fuel Consumption

In hybrid aircraft engines, multiple energy sources are utilized throughout the flight. According to Airbus, a mix of conventional jet fuel or sustainable aviation fuels combined with electricity could cut fuel consumption by up to 5% compared to traditional flights. As part of this innovation, GE Aerospace is collaborating with NASA to incorporate electric motors or generators into high-bypass turbofan engines. These will provide supplemental power across different phases of flight operations.

Initial Testing Success

GE Aerospace announced the successful completion of initial tests on hybrid components and a baseline test of the engine. The next phase will involve testing these hybrid components and the engine in unison. This project is a significant component of the global aviation industry's broader objective to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. However, as electric and hydrogen-powered aircraft technologies remain unproven, the path to decarbonization presents numerous challenges. Currently, the aviation sector is responsible for approximately 2% of global emissions.

Industry-Wide Efforts

The development of more fuel-efficient engines plays a crucial role in reducing aviation emissions. However, some environmental critics argue that the industry’s net-zero targets are overly ambitious, suggesting that a considerable reduction in global flying may be necessary to meet these goals. Despite these criticisms, GE Aerospace is forging ahead with multiple projects focused on enhancing fuel efficiency. One such endeavor, in collaboration with France's Safran, involves developing open-bladed jet engines for the next generation of medium-haul jets, anticipated to reduce fuel use and emissions by 20% by the mid-2030s.

Competitors Join the Race

GE is not alone in this pursuit. Rival company RTX is also advancing in hybrid-electric technology, working on a demonstrator that combines a thermal engine with an electric motor. RTX aims to achieve a 30% improvement in fuel efficiency through this innovation. As the race to develop more sustainable aviation technologies intensifies, these pioneering projects from both GE and its competitors signify a critical step toward achieving long-term environmental goals in the aerospace industry.