Focus Is Development Of Electric-Hybrid Airplane Engines
Bye Energy, an integrator of alternative energy and renewable
fuel technologies for business and general aviation aircraft, is
launching “The Green Flight Project” to enhance the
development of an electric and electric-hybrid propulsion system
(EHPS) for commercial application. The objective of the project is
to design and integrate an EHPS into a full-scale proof of concept
airplane.
System architecture for Bye Energy’s EHPS includes an
electric motor and controller, lithium-ion battery and management
system, electric energy management system, auxiliary power unit,
thin film photovoltaic cells, variable pitch propeller and
proprietary energy capture devices exclusive to the company.
George Bye, CEO of Bye Energy, said that although all-electric
propulsion systems and aircraft are being developed, they do not
yet compare to the potential utility and performance of a hybrid
design. “Intelligent power management technology, greater
lithium-ion energy density and more efficient light-weight engines
have now matured to the point where integration of these components
becomes extremely compelling,” he said. “We believe the
general aviation market is at the same point the U.S. auto market
was about a decade ago when the first affordable automotive hybrid
alternatives became commercially available.”
Charlie Johnson, COO of Bye Energy and former President of
Cessna, said the time to accelerate incorporation of new hybrid
technology has arrived. “General aviation is a vital market
that will benefit from the environmentally friendly, lower
cost,more efficient and higher-performing aircraft,” he
said.
Mockup Of Hybrid Powerplant Photo Credit
Bye Energy
Over the past year, Bye Energy has forged relationships with
multiple technical partners including UQM Technologies, Inc. for
the electric motor and controller, Vertical Power, Inc. for the
energy management system, Porous Power Technologies, LLC for the
lithium-ion battery and separator technology, Scion Aviation, LLC
for composite parts and materials, EEtrex Inc. for the battery
system and Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. for thin film
photovoltaics.
Bye Energy is accepting support from sponsors for The Green
Flight Project. Early sponsors supporting the project launch
include Wings over the Rockies Air & Space Museum and Colorado
Capital Bank.