Rolls-Royce has announced the development of a new turbo generator technology designed for hybrid-electric applications.
Rolls-Royce has announced the development of a new turbo generator technology designed for hybrid-electric applications. This system, which includes a small engine, will also have a scalable power supply. This system, which will enable longer range as a result of hydrogen combustion from sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), will be included in Rolls-Royce Electrical’s propulsion portfolio.
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Existing battery technology and all-electric propulsion will enable short flights within cities, between cities and between islands, aided by eVTOL and fixed-wing short-haul aircraft. The turbo generator technology developed by Rolls-Royce, with a power range of 500 kW to 1200 kW, will enable longer routes with battery electric aircraft.
Pioneering advanced air mobility
Rolls-Royce engineers in Germany, Norway and Hungary are working on the design and system integration of the turbo generator, focusing on achieving intelligent power distribution during flight.
The turbo generator allows the aircraft to switch between power sources during flight, either by charging the batteries after take-off or by directly powering the propellers. Some of the research and development of this technology is funded by the German Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action.
Commenting on the subject, Rob Watson, President of Rolls-Royce Electrical, said;
“Rolls-Royce will be the leading provider of all-electric and hybrid-electric power and propulsion systems for Advanced Air Mobility and will expand this technology to larger platforms over time. I would like to thank the German government for its support in this regard. As part of our strategy, we aim to offer our customers a fully sustainable solution.
This means longer electric flights with our turbo generator technology. As hybrid-electric flights are developed, there will be more travel opportunities in low passenger capacity or net zero carbon emission aircraft.
Rolls-Royce is also building on our existing network to provide maintenance services for electric systems. In addition, Rolls-Royce Power Systems continues to offer mtu microgrid solutions to support fast charging of electric aircraft and to provide reliable, cost-effective, climate-friendly and sustainable power to vertiports.”
Last year, Rolls-Royce set out its roadmap for net zero carbon emissions and announced that the electric technologies it is developing will help decarbonize critical areas of the global economy. Rolls-Royce has also pledged to make its new products net zero carbon compliant by 2030 and all products in service by 2050.
