Project description
New technology makes net zero-emissions aviation a reality
Europe’s aviation sector is flying towards a sustainable, climate-neutral future. Bringing together a group of leading aerospace companies, the EU-funded SWITCH project will develop future airliner propulsion systems. Supported by the EU Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking, it will develop a sustainable gas turbine propulsion system as a response to the challenge of climate-neutral short-medium range air transport. Specifically, its hybrid water enhanced turbofan can improve energy efficiency by 25 % and reduce climate impact by 75 % (using net zero-CO2 sustainable aviation fuel, 50 % with conventional Jet-A kerosene). It is the only concept to significantly reduce all three major warming effects: CO2 through unmatched efficiency, nitrogen oxides through water injection in the combustor, and contrails through particle removal and water recovery.
Objective
SWITCH aims to answer the challenge of climate-neutral short-medium range air transport by developing a revolutionary sustainable gas turbine propulsion system – the hybrid Water-Enhanced Turbofan (hybrid WET). It boosts WET technology with hybridization (Electrical Aircraft Propulsion – EAP) to improve energy efficiency by 25% and reduce climate impact by 75% (using net zero-CO2 sustainable aviation fuel, 50% with conventional Jet-A kerosene) compared to a state-of-the-art engine. It is the only concept to significantly reduce all three major warming effects on our climate: CO2 through unmatched efficiency, NOx through water injection in the combustor, and contrails through particle removal and water recovery. Local air quality and noise levels around airports are improved through electric taxiing. The hybrid WET is fully compatible with drop-in SAF and could also be adapted to burn hydrogen. It addresses all climate-notable market segments: Short-, medium- and long-range.
The SWITCH project will meet this challenge with a global consortium, through an unprecedented programmatic effort between airframer, engine and system OEMs, key tier 1 suppliers and leading researchers in combustion and propulsion, leveraging relevant and effective synergies between European and national programs.
SWITCH will mature the hybrid WET’s two key innovation concepts by 2025: The WET engine to technology readiness level (TRL) 4 through validation of its key enabling technologies and the EAP system to TRL 5 through flight-ready engine ground demonstration of the full propulsion system.
Results from SWITCH will reinforce confidence in the climate reduction potential of the hybrid WET propulsion system and form the technological foundation to achieve TRL 6 by 2030. This will enable the innovation to enter into the market by 2035 on a new short-medium range aircraft to significantly reduce aviation’s climate impact towards the European Green Deal’s goal of climate neutrality by 2050.
Fields of science
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsliquid fuels
- engineering and technologymechanical engineeringvehicle engineeringaerospace engineeringaircraft
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringair pollution engineering
- social scienceseconomics and businesseconomicssustainable economy
Keywords
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
HORIZON-JU-IA - HORIZON JU Innovation ActionsCoordinator
80995 Munchen
Germany
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Participants (16)
Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.
36 002 Jasionka
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31060 Toulouse
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31700 Blagnac
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21129 Hamburg
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28906 Getafe
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T23 Cork
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Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.
86720 Nordlingen
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Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.
00185 ROMA
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Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.
31774 Colomiers
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46181 Trollhaettan
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3351 NL PAPENDRECHT
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35 078 Rzeszow
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546 36 THESSALONIKI
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412 96 GOTEBORG
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51147 Koln
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70174 Stuttgart
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Partners (4)
06118 East Hartford
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06096 Windsor Locks
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B90 4SS SOLIHULL WEST MIDLANDS
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WV10 6QJ WOLVERHAMPTON
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