# Rolls-Royce develops hybrid-electric turbo generator for air mobility

- Link: https://www.military.africa/2022/06/rolls-royce-develops-hybrid-electric-turbo-generator-for-air-mobility/
- Published: 2022-06-22T13:57:37+01:00
- Author: Military Africa

Rolls-Royce is officially announcing the development of turbogenerator technology,
which includes a new small engine designed for hybrid-electric applications. The
system will be an on-board power source with scalable power offerings and will complement
the Rolls-Royce Electrical propulsion portfolio, enabling extended range on sustainable
aviation fuels and later as it comes available through hydrogen combustion.

![](https://www.military.africa/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/BD1476-Turbogenerator-
Landscape-1024x576.jpg)

The turbogenerator will recharge batteries after take-off or power propellers directly,
enabling aircraft to switch between power sources in flight

Current battery technology means all-electric propulsion will enable eVTOL and fixed
wing commuter aircraft for short flights in and between cities and island-hopping
in locations like Norway and the Scottish Isles. By developing turbogenerator technology,
that will be scaled to serve a power range between 500 kW and 1200 kW, we can open
up new longer routes that our electric battery powered aircraft can also support.

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Rolls-Royce experts based in Germany, Norway and Hungary are developing the turbogenerator
design and working on its system integration and are focused on ensuring smart power
distribution during flight. The turbogenerator will recharge batteries after take-
off or power propellers directly, enabling aircraft to switch between power sources
in flight. The research and development of this technology is being part funded 
by the German Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action.

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Rob Watson, President – Rolls Royce Electrical, said: “Rolls-Royce will be the leading
provider of all-electric and hybrid-electric power and propulsion systems for Advanced
Air Mobility and will scale this technology over time to larger platforms. I would
like to thank the German Government for their support. As part of our strategy, 
we are looking at offering the complete sustainable solution for our customers. 
This means extending routes that electric flight can support through our turbogenerator
technology. This will advance hybrid-electric flight and mean more passengers will
be able to travel further on low to net zero emissions aircraft.

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“Rolls-Royce is also set to build on our existing network to offer maintenance services
for electrical systems. Furthermore, Rolls-Royce Power Systems is able to offer 
mtu microgrid solutions to support fast-charging of electric aircraft and deliver
reliable, cost-effective, climate friendly and sustainable power to vertiports.”

Last year, Rolls-Royce announced a pathway to net zero carbon emissions and its 
electrical technology is one way in which the company is helping decarbonise critical
parts of the global economy. Rolls-Royce is committed to ensuring its new products
will be compatible with net zero operation by 2030 and all its products will be 
compatible with net zero by 2050.

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