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Airbus Teams Up to Develop Hybrid Electric Engine

Airbus, Siemens and Rolls-Royce hope that the E-Fan X hybrid-electric technology demonstrator will wean the aviation industry away from its reliance on fossil fuels.

It has been announced that Airbus, Siemens and Rolls-Royce are collaborating to develop a hybrid electric engine, a move that the firms believe will help to steer the aviation industry away from its reliance on fossil fuels. All being well, the companies’ E-Fan X hybrid-electric technology demonstrator will make its debut in 2020.

However, this technology will take to the air only after a thorough testing period, a phase that will see one and eventually two of the four gas-powered turbines on a British Aerospace 146 craft swapped for these hybrid engines.

In an official statement, Paul Eremenko, Airbus’ Chief Technology Officer, said, “The E-Fan X is an important next step in our goal of making electric flight a reality in the foreseeable future…We see hybrid-electric propulsion as a compelling technology for the future of aviation.”

It has also been revealed that each firm will be responsible for distinct elements of the engine’s development. “Airbus will be responsible for overall integration as well as the control architecture of the hybrid-electric propulsion system and batteries, and its integration with flight controls,” the aircraft manufacturer has revealed.

Rolls-Royce will oversee the turbo-shaft engine, the power electronics and the megawatt generator. Lastly, Siemens is responsible for the delivery of the electric motor units as well as their power control unit and various associated parts.

Speaking of the project, Paul Stein, Rolls-Royce, Chief Technology Officer, commented, “The E-Fan X enables us to build on our wealth of electrical expertise to revolutionize flight and welcome in the third generation of aviation. This is an exciting time for us as this technological advancement will result in Rolls-Royce creating the world’s most powerful flying generator.”

Finally, Roland Busch, Siemens’ Chief Technology Officer, offered his insight, saying, “Siemens has been driving innovation in core technology fields at full speed…With the E-Fan X partnership, we now take the next step to demonstrate the technology in the air.”

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