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.

FMI: www.TheGreenFlightProject.aero