AMBER – InnovAtive DeMonstrator for hyBrid-Electric Regional Application

The Innovative Demonstrator for hybrid-Electric Regional Application (AMBER) project was created under the Clean Aviation call as an ambitious EU Horizon project, with the main benefit being the development of a hybrid aircraft propulsion demonstration to reduce the environmental impact of aviation.

The AMBER project is a demonstrator that aims to develop, integrate and validate the key technologies necessary for a megawatt ( ̴ 2 MW) class hybrid electric propulsion system powered by hydrogen fuel cells.
The Clean Aviation project will study the integration of hybrid electric components - including a fuel cell engine/generator, power converters, power transmission systems with the advanced Catalyst turboprop engine from Avio Aero - a GE Aerospace company. The architecture is assumed to be a parallel hybrid configuration of a turbine and electric engine with a common propeller propulsion.

The project is part of Avio Aero and GE Aerospace's portfolio of suitable technologies for a more sustainable future of aviation.

A hybrid-electric propulsion system for regional aircraft is seen as a promising step towards a more sustainable aviation industry. The EU-funded AMBER project will address the challenge of climate change and will seek to mature, integrate and validate key technologies necessary for a megawatt-class hybrid electric propulsion system powered by hydrogen fuel cells. This will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fuel consumption by at least 50% compared to state-of-the-art regional aircraft by 2020. AMBER recognises the importance of regional aviation as a driver for sustainability and achieving ambitious environmental goals. The project is a step towards decarbonising aviation and reducing pollutant emissions.

The main contribution of CTU to the AMBER project is the modification of the propeller test cell and the testing of the hybrid drive demonstrator. The first phase of testing is the power supply of the electric motor from the electrical network and in the second phase its power supply with a hydrogen fuel cell. In addition, CTU is involved in the simulation optimization of the concept of the entire hybrid aircraft drive.

The main beneficiary of the project is Avio Aero, CTU is in the position of another participant together with 20 research organizations and industrial enterprises. The investigator is the CTU FME Center for Aviation and Space Research.
 

Fig. 1 Scheme of hybrid propulsion of an aircraft by combination of gas turbine and electric engine
 

In collaboration with:

Contact:

prof. Ing. Michael Valášek, DrSc.

Department of Mechanics, Biomechanics and Mechatronics FME CTU in Prague

E-mail: michael.valasek@fs.cvut.cz

Phone: +420 224 357 361