Future enabLing technologies for hYdrogen-powered Electrified aero engine for Clean aviatiOn

FlyECO will deliver transformative technologies to support Integrated Power and Propulsion Systems (IPPS) that contribute to zero-emission and sustainable growth of aviation and has the potential to enable aviation climate neutrality by 2050. The utilization of hydrogen as sole energy source offers the opportunity to eliminate aviation CO₂ emissions. Furthermore, a reduction in NO_x emissions of at least 50 % is enabled by injecting steam produced by a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) into the hydrogen-fuelled gas turbine (GT). FlyECO will develop a simulation and evaluation framework in which the optimal architecture definition of the IPPS, the key enabling integration technologies and necessary controls concepts can be explored, investigated closely and advanced towards Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3 through Proof-of-Concept (PoC) demonstrators. A Commuter/Regional aircraft application was chosen as a use case to develop the propulsion system with more than one megawatt power (1 MW+). In particular, the energy management and distribution strategies will be developed for both quasi-steady-state and transient operation. In addition, PoC for the IPPS and the reduction in NO_x emissions will be provided via two demonstrators: (1) a sub-structured test-rig emulating the cycleintegrated hybrid-electric propulsion system and (2) a high-pressure combustor with steam ingestion.