NASA Contract Supports HyTEC Phase 2 Project

GE Aerospace is busy modifying one of its large Passport aircraft engines with hybrid electric components as part of research and development work under a Phase 2 contract awarded by NASA’s Hybrid Thermally Efficient Core (HyTEC) project. 

The company has also been performing basic technical testing and analysis to lay the groundwork for later phases. The goal of the project is to supplement power during various phases of operation by embedding electric motors/generators into a high-bypass commercial turbofan.

The idea is that engine performance can be optimized by incorporating electric motors to build a system that can work with or without energy storage, i.e., batteries. This may accelerate the adoption of hybrid electric technologies by commercial aviation before batteries or alternative storage methodologies have been fully developed.

Initial testing of power electronics and electric motors/generators as well as systems testing has been completed for what’s known as the HyTEC Turbofan Engine Power Extraction Demonstration. 

In addition, baseline testing to characterize performance of the Passport engine prior to modification has been completed. Results of the testing program will be used to evaluate and update the designs for the ground test of the demonstration version, which is to be performed later this decade.

Arjan Hegeman, general manager of future of flight technologies at GE Aerospace said, “Together with NASA, GE Aerospace is doing critical research and development that could help make hybrid electric commercial flight possible.”

Anthony Nerone, HyTEC project manager at NASA's Glenn Research Center says, “Our collaborations with industry partners like GE Aerospace are paving the way for U.S. leadership in hybrid electric commercial transport aircraft.”

FMI:  www.geaerospace.com