GE Aerospace Innovates with Hybrid Electric Engines for Single-Aisle Jets

GE Aerospace is pioneering the development of hybrid electric engines, aiming to transform next-generation narrow-body jets by the mid-2020s. This groundbreaking initiative could position the aviation industry significantly closer to reducing its carbon emissions, with single-aisle jets currently accounting for half of the sector’s global emissions.

The concept of hybrid engines in aviation mirrors the hybrid technology seen in automobiles, such as the Toyota Prius. These engines would utilize a combination of traditional jet fuel, sustainable aviation fuels, and electricity. Airbus (AIR.PA) estimates that this mix could reduce fuel consumption by up to 5% compared to conventional flights, marking a significant step toward decarbonizing a notably challenging sector.

In collaboration with NASA, GE Aerospace is integrating electric motors and generators into high-bypass turbofan engines to enhance power efficiency during various flight phases. The company recently announced the successful completion of initial tests on the hybrid components and is preparing to conduct integrated tests with the engine.

The aviation industry, responsible for about 2% of global emissions, faces a daunting task in achieving its net-zero emissions goal by 2050. Current alternatives like electric and hydrogen-powered aircraft remain in the experimental stages, making the push for decarbonization a formidable challenge. Critics argue that the industry’s goals are overly ambitious and suggest that significant reductions in flight operations globally are the only feasible solution.

Despite these challenges, GE Aerospace’s hybrid engine project is one of several initiatives aimed at developing more fuel-efficient technologies. In partnership with France’s Safran (SAF.PA), GE is also exploring an open-bladed jet engine design for medium-haul jets, which could reduce fuel usage and emissions by 20% by the next decade.

Furthermore, GE’s competitor RTX is advancing its hybrid-electric technology, which combines a thermal engine with an electric motor, targeting a 30% improvement in fuel efficiency. This collective effort underscores the aviation industry’s commitment to innovating more sustainable flying solutions, reflecting an essential shift towards greener technologies in response to environmental concerns.