Engines
Technology
Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) has announced plans to advance its hybrid-electric propulsion technology play to enable the next step-change in efficiency for aircraft engines
Engine manufacturers’ efficient efforts for
greener skies
From structural experiments to efficient propulsion systems, from collaborations to investments and testing, initiatives are underway in a wide expanse
by Ayushee Chaudhary
PHOTOGRAPH: Pratt & Whitney
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ustainability is no longer just the buzz word of the town in the aviation industry as there are conscious discussions and actions being taken up constantly. There is a clear awareness that the future of the market will be significantly determined by how the aviation industry innovates to lower emissions and improves fuel efficiency. From airlines to aircraft and engine operators, everyone is playing a key role. Here we take a look at some of the initiatives that the major engine manufacturers have taken to contribute towards greener skies. Pratt & Whitney. As one of the leading names in the engine industry, Pratt & Whitney (P&W) is constantly adding to the list of its sustainable efforts. Developing hybrid-electric propulsion technology is a core element of Pratt & Whitney’s strategy
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to make aviation more sustainable. The latest being its hybridelectric propulsion technology that aims to drive significant improvements in aircraft efficiency by optimising performance across the different phases of flight, allowing the demonstrator to target a 30 per cent reduction in fuel burn and CO2 emissions, compared to a modern regional turboprop airliner. P&W Canada (P&WC) is working with De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited to integrate this hybrid-electric technology into a De Havilland Canada Dash 8-100 flight demonstrator. This demonstrator will include an advanced electric motor and controller from Collins Aerospace, also a Raytheon Technologies business. Additionally, as part of Canada’s green recovery plan, the Government of Canada’s Strategic Innovation Fund is backing the technology demonstrator. The Government of Quebec is supporting this project through Investissement Québec and the
