GE showcases technologies to reduce carbon emissions

GE announced GE to Net Zero, a new digital experience at the GE Pavilion at the 2022 Farnborough International Airshow where visitors can learn more about the company’s efforts to achieve its ambition to be net zero by 2050 , associated with the use of the products sold.

With an installed base of more than 39,000 commercial aircraft engines (including engines manufactured by GE and the CFM International and Engine Alliance joint ventures), GE is focused on supporting the aerospace industry and its customers throughout of the current recovery while shaping the future of flight with innovations. that improve energy efficiency. To that end, GE spent $1.6 billion on aerospace research and development in 2021, including emissions reduction technologies.

“We have recently renewed our commercial engine portfolio, introducing engines that are more fuel efficient than their predecessors. Over the past year, we have also outlined the technology building blocks we are developing for the future to further improve fuel efficiency, compatible with low carbon alternative fuels,” said Allen Paxson. , vice president and general manager of the commercial program of GE Aviation. strategy.

“The challenges facing our aerospace industry are significant. We are playing our part in supporting the industry through the current recovery, as well as accelerating the path to reducing CO emissions₂ shows seriously. We currently have one of the strongest innovation pipelines in our company’s more than 100-year history to help the industry become more sustainable,” said Paxson.

GE is taking bold steps to define and develop technologies for the next generation of engines, including launching three key demonstration programs since June 2021. These efforts include a partnership between Airbus and CFM International (a 50-50 joint company between GE and Safran Aircraft Engines) to perform flight tests of a hydrogen engine; a partnership with NASA and Boeing to develop and fly a megawatt class hybrid electric drive system; and CFMs ASCEND (Revolutionary Innovation for Sustainable Engines), which includes the development of new advanced engine architectures such as open fan, as well as other technologies. The objective of the RISE program is to reduce fuel consumption and CO emissions by at least 20%₂ emissions compared to today’s most efficient engines.

Several ground and flight tests planned for this decade will demonstrate new technologies for use in future commercial aircraft engines that could enter service from the mid-2030s.

Meanwhile, this commitment to innovation and investment over decades has led to the following engines, services and software available now to reduce CO emissions₂ emissions from the existing fleet in service powered by GE and its partners:

• Newer GE engines are more fuel efficient than the engines they replace. For example, the GE9X is up to 10% more fuel efficient than the GE90 engine. Advanced materials such as ceramic matrix composites and additively manufactured parts help improve engine fuel efficiency.

• All GE, CFM and Engine Alliance (a 50-50 joint venture between GE and Pratt & Whitney) engines can run on Approved Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) today, an alternative jet fuel with a reduced carbon footprint on the life cycle

• Systems technologies that improve aircraft performance efficiency include solutions to optimize flight paths, thereby reducing fuel consumption

• GE’s 360 Foam Wash is an advanced on-wing cleaning technology with proprietary detergent to help ensure engines continue to operate efficiently, reducing fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions

• GE Digital’s aviation software solutions make fuel saving recommendations, such as FlightPulse, a flight analysis tool for pilots

GE has been testing biofuels since 2007 and continues to support SAF testing and flight demonstrations. GE holds leadership positions in SAF qualification and standards bodies such as ASTM, including committees and task forces responsible for new track approvals, synthetic fuel specification maintenance and SAF standardization 100% drop-in. 100% SAF does not require mixing with conventional jet fuel. GE also joined the Round table on sustainable biomaterials (RSB), an independent international organization that helps develop market policies for SAF and ensure that SAF raw materials are sourced responsibly.

Additionally, GE is ambitiously pursuing its commitment to be carbon neutral by 2030 in its own facilities and operations, including Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. Efforts to achieve this goal include building upgrades towards more energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, finding low-carbon energy sources to power venues, and using lean practices to reduce waste. Through the internal efforts of the company’s global teams, GE Aviation facilities and operations have reduced Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by more than 20% since 2019.

More information on how GE is helping the aerospace industry decarbonise, including a link to GE’s 2021 Sustainability Report, can be found at www.GEAviation.com/Future-of-Flight. The recently released sustainability report outlines GE’s approach to achieving its 2050 net zero ambition for products sold, including guiding principles, progress to date and planned investments in maturing new technologies.