Aerospace Testing InternationalAerospace Testing International
  • News
    • A-E
      • Acoustic & Vibration
      • Avionics
      • Data Acquisition
      • Defense
      • Drones & Air Taxis
      • Electric & Hybrid
      • EMC
      • Engine Testing
      • Environmental Testing
    • F-L
      • Fatigue Testing
      • Flight Testing
      • Helicopters & Rotorcraft
      • High Speed Imaging
      • Industry News
    • M-S
      • Materials Testing
      • NDT
      • Simulation & Training
      • Software
      • Space
      • Structural Testing
      • Supplier News
    • T-Z
      • Technology
      • Telemetry & Communications
      • Weapons Testing
      • Wind Tunnels
  • Features
  • Magazines
    • March 2025
    • Dec 2024/Jan 2025
    • Showcase 2025
    • September 2024
    • June 2024
    • Archive Issues
    • Subscribe Free!
  • Opinion
  • Webinars
  • Events
    • All Events
    • Aerospace Test & Development Show
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Suppliers
    • Supplier Spotlights
    • Press Releases
    • Technical Papers
  • Jobs
    • Browse Jobs
    • Post a Job – It’s FREE!
    • Manage Jobs (Employers)
LinkedIn YouTube X (Twitter)
LinkedIn YouTube X (Twitter)
Subscribe to magazine Subscribe to email newsletter Media Pack
Aerospace Testing InternationalAerospace Testing International
  • News
      • Acoustic & Vibration
      • Avionics
      • Data Acquisition
      • Defense
      • Drones & Air Taxis
      • Electric & Hybrid
      • EMC
      • Engine Testing
      • Environmental Testing
      • Fatigue Testing
      • Flight Testing
      • Helicopters & Rotorcraft
      • High Speed Imaging
      • Industry News
      • Materials Testing
      • NDT
      • Simulation & Training
      • Software
      • Space
      • Structural Testing
      • Supplier News
      • Technology
      • Telemetry & Communications
      • Weapons Testing
      • Wind Tunnels
  • Features
  • Magazines
    1. March 2025
    2. Dec 2024/Jan 2025
    3. Showcase 2025
    4. September 2024
    5. June 2024
    6. March 2024
    7. Archive Issues
    8. Subscribe Free!
    Featured
    19th March 2025

    In this issue: March 2025

    Online Magazines By Ben Sampson
    Recent

    In this issue: March 2025

    19th March 2025
    contents and front cover of magazine

    In this issue: December / January 2025

    19th December 2024
    Showcase 2025

    In this issue – Showcase 2025

    6th November 2024
  • Opinion
  • Webinars
  • Events
    • All Events
    • Aerospace Test & Development Show
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Suppliers
    • Supplier Spotlights
    • Press Releases
    • Technical Papers
  • Jobs
    • Browse Jobs
    • Post a Job – It’s FREE!
    • Manage Jobs (Employers)
LinkedIn YouTube X (Twitter)
Aerospace Testing InternationalAerospace Testing International
Electric & Hybrid Engine Testing Uncategorized

GE Aerospace to test FlyCLEEN fuel cell/gas turbine hybrid engine

Ben SampsonBy Ben Sampson25th October 20233 Mins Read
Share LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Email
FlyCLEEN diagram
GE Aerospace engineers are to combine fuel cells and a gas turbine for the FlyCLEEN propulsion system (Image: GE Aerospace)

Researchers at GE Aerospace are to test a small engine that combines fuels cells with a gas turbine and runs off Sustainable Aviation Fuel.

The prototype engine could one day be scaled up and used in zero-emission commercial aircraft to give a much greater range than current battery-electric based propulsion systems allow.

The hybrid propulsion system was designed as part of the US Government-funded FlyCLEEN (FueL CelL Embedded ENgine) project that started in 2021. It is a 25kW power generation subsystem that integrates solid oxide fuel cells with a Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)-powered gas turbine.

The GE Aerospace research team was this month awarded a further US$4.5 million to build and test the propulsion system for the next phase of the project.

The novel hybrid approach uses SAF in both the fuel cells and gas turbines. A portion of SAF is reformed into Syngas to feed the fuel cells, while the rest of the SAF is consumed in the gas turbine engine.

The use of fuel cells could vastly improve the efficiency of converting the chemical energy from SAF into electric power and move closer to net zero CO2 emissions.

John Hong, a GE Aerospace senior combustion research engineer and FLyCLEEN project leader said, “The integration of fuel cells into jet engine propulsion system represents a potentially promising hybrid technology for additional fuel efficiency technologies in higher thrust aircraft applications.”

“The use of SAF demonstrates the compatibility with lower carbon fuels to capture further CO2 reduction benefits.”

https://www.tiktok.com/@worldofge/video/7237596327746489642

FlyCLEEN is being funded through APRA-E (Advanced Research Projects Agency–Energy). ARPA-E is running several research programs to advance the fundamental building blocks of commercial passenger hybrid electric flight. Other GE Aerospace and ARPA-E programs are looking at how to scale up the electric powertrain and the cabling required for hybrid electric propulsion

Hong added, “This is such an exciting time for the aerospace industry. From fuel cells and SAF to advances in electric power, hydrogen, and even new engine architectures like our open fan design, we are seeing a confluence of technologies driving progress on a number of fronts.

“We will need every bit of new investments and public partnerships like we have with ARPA-E to meet the industry’s goal of net zero CO2 emissions by 2050.”

GE Aerospace Research, which is based in the Niskayuna, New York in the USA and Bengaluru, India has more than 650 researchers and has also been working with France’s Safran on the CFM RISE (Revolutionary Innovation for Sustainable Engines) program, since 2021. RISE aims to deliver a 20% reduction in fuel consumption compared to current generation engines, through the use of hybrid-electric propulsion technologies, the use of hydrogen-fuel and 100% SAF, as well as its open fan design.

Share. Twitter LinkedIn Facebook Email
Previous ArticleFlyVbird signs Letter of Intent for Alice all-electric aircraft
Next Article Deutsche Aircraft completes wind tunnel testing for the 328ALPHA
Ben Sampson

Ben has worked as a journalist and editor, covering technology, engineering and industry for the last 20 years. Initially writing about subjects from nuclear submarines to autonomous cars to future design and manufacturing technologies, he was editor of a leading UK-based engineering magazine before becoming editor of Aerospace Testing in 2017.

Related Posts

Electric & Hybrid

Drive System Design opens second UK high-speed eMachine test facility

23rd May 20252 Mins Read
Uncategorized

AIR cargo eVTOL completes night flight testing

22nd May 20252 Mins Read
News

US range opened to boost hypersonic and laser weapon testing

19th May 20252 Mins Read
Latest Posts

Drive System Design opens second UK high-speed eMachine test facility

23rd May 2025

dSPACE expands Scalexio platform for HIL testing

23rd May 2025

AIR cargo eVTOL completes night flight testing

22nd May 2025
Supplier Spotlights
Our Social Channels
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
Getting in Touch
  • Subscribe To Magazine
  • Contact Us
  • Meet the Team
  • Media Pack
Related Topics
  • Aircraft Interiors
  • Business Jet Interiors
FREE WEEKLY NEWS EMAIL!

Get the 'best of the week' from this website direct to your inbox every Wednesday

© 2023 Mark Allen Group Ltd | All Rights Reserved
  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.