Testing the technology for sustainable hybrid-electric flight

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Wednesday 22 November 2023 20:59 PM

Testing the technology for sustainable hybrid-electric flight

At Rolls-Royce, we’re working on the technologies that will help to take electric flight further.

Today’s battery-powered all-electric aircraft are opening up a world of possibilities for sustainable travel. But to be able to travel further while still committing to low or zero emissions, hybrid-electric propulsion systems that harness the power of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) will be key.

A turbogenerator system to take electric aircraft further

We’ve developed a turbogenerator system to complement our electrical propulsion portfolio and deliver a scalable, on-board power source for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) vehicles including electrical vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and commuter aircraft of up to 19 seats.

Providing a range of power offerings from 500 kW to 1,200 kW, the turbogenerator system will enable extended range using SAF and hydrogen when it becomes widely available.

Martin Mohr, Programme Director at Rolls-Royce Electrical explains:

In developing this turbogenerator solution, we are bringing our core competencies together: designing compact and lightweight high-speed rotating electric machines, and highly efficient gas turbines combined with the expertise from Rolls-Royce to integrate them on a system and platform level.”

A new small gas turbine engine has been designed using novel combustion technology to burn clean fuel to drive a generator and create electricity, producing ultra-low emissions and remaining power-dense while being compact enough to be easily integrated into our turbogenerator systems.

Successful first fuel burn for sustainable flight

At our Power Gearbox facility in Dahlewitz, Germany, our teams have been putting the new small gas turbine to the test. Initially, tests have helped the team to generate relevant knowledge and data about the technology’s key technical attributes that will accelerate the push towards product certification.

This year, the gas turbine successfully completed its first fuel burn, proving its ability to run on 100% SAF and creating a space in the market for novel hybrid-electric aircraft concepts with higher payloads and therefore, longer range.

“This significant achievement follows the fast-paced development time of the new gas turbine from concept freeze to pass to test in under two years,” adds Matheu Parr, Commercial Director of Rolls-Royce Electrical. “The turbogenerator system will enable our customers to extend the routes that electric flight can support and means more passengers will be able to travel further on low and potentially net zero emissions aircraft.”

A growing portfolio for Advanced Air Mobility

The success of our turbogenerator technology doesn’t stop there. Further tests will take place later this year and the gas turbine itself also provides the potential to power other applications within the APU (auxiliary power unit), helicopter and defence markets.

“We have achieved unprecedented levels of efficiency for this gas turbine by incorporating the latest 3D aerodynamics, which is based on Rolls-Royce gas turbine technology. On top, we’ve developed a really novel combustion system which is unmatched in its performance in this class of engines,” explains Uwe Minkus, Chief Engineer at Rolls-Royce Electrical.

“With our turbogenerator system, we’ve built on a great portfolio of existing technologies, but we have augmented it with novel technologies to create something new that will help the AAM market to offer compelling and novel products.”

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