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
The SWITCH project is an ambitious initiative aimed at addressing the challenge of achieving climate-neutral short- to medium-range air transport by developing a revolutionary sustainable gas turbine propulsion system. This project is tightly aligned with the strategic goals of the Clean Aviation program, which seeks to foster innovation and sustainability in the aviation sector.
The primary objectives of the SWITCH project are improving fuel burn and energy consumption by 20% and achieving a 50% reduction in the climate impact of both NOx emissions and contrails, compared to a state-of-the-art engine, hereby significantly reducing the three major warming effects of aviation on the climate CO2, NOx, and contrails.
This 20% reduction in fuel burn meets the foreseen contribution from propulsion system side to the -30% goal on aircraft level as laid out in the Clean Aviation Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA).
To achieve these objectives, the project develops the Dual-spool-hybridized heat recovering Second-Gen Geared Turbofan, which features a dual-spool hybrid-electric architecture, combining two Collins Aerospace megawatt-class electric motor generators within a Pratt & Whitney GTF engine, introduces Waste Heat Recovery to further improve thermal efficiency beyond the 2nd Gen GTF, and a low-emissions combustor to reduce NOx and nvPM emissions. The development of lightweight multifunctional structures and an optimized nacelle and thrust reverser support the integration of novel technologies into the powerplant.
Local air quality and noise levels around airports are improved through electric taxiing. The propulsion system will be compatible with 100% drop-in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and its principle is suitable for powerplants that burn hydrogen. It addresses all climate-relevant market segments: short-, medium-, and long-range.
The SWITCH project is conducted by a global consortium, involving aircraft, engine and system OEMs, key tier I suppliers and leading research institutes in combustion and propulsion. This unprecedented collaborative effort will leverage synergies between European and national programs, ensuring that the project is well-placed within the context of the Clean Aviation initiative.
In 2026, SWITCH matures the dual-spool hybridized turbofan to Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5 through ground demonstration of the full propulsion system, and the waste heat recovery concept to TRL 4 through validation of its key enabling technologies. In Phase 2 of Clean Aviation, the dual-spool hybrid-electric configuration is flight tested and matured to TRL 6 by 2030, and Waste Heat Recovery System demonstrated to achieve TRL 5 by 2030.
Results from SWITCH will reinforce confidence in the climate reduction potential of the Dual-Spool- Hybridized heat recovering Second-Gen Geared Turbofan and form the technological foundation to enable the innovation to enter the market by 2035. This concept will significantly reduce aviation's climate impact, contributing towards the European Green Deal's goal of climate neutrality by 2050.
Overall, the SWITCH project is ready to make a substantial contribution to sustainable aviation, driving innovation, and reducing the environmental impact of air travel.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- engineering and technology mechanical engineering vehicle engineering aerospace engineering aircraft
- engineering and technology environmental engineering energy and fuels
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.2.5 - Climate, Energy and Mobility
MAIN PROGRAMME
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HORIZON.2.5.7 - Clean, Safe and Accessible Transport and Mobility
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-JU-IA - HORIZON JU Innovation Actions
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-JU-Clean-Aviation-2022-01
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
80995 Muenchen
Germany
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Participants (17)
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.
Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
36 002 Jasionka
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The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.
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.
Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
36-002 JASIONKA
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31060 Toulouse
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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.
Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
31700 Blagnac
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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.
Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
21129 Hamburg
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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.
Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
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.
Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
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.
Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
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.
Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
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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The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.
Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
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)
Partner organisations contribute to the implementation of the action, but do not sign the Grant Agreement.
Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
06118 East Hartford
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The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.
Partner organisations contribute to the implementation of the action, but do not sign the Grant Agreement.
Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
06096 Windsor Locks
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The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.
Partner organisations contribute to the implementation of the action, but do not sign the Grant Agreement.
Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
B90 4SS SOLIHULL WEST MIDLANDS
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The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.
Partner organisations contribute to the implementation of the action, but do not sign the Grant Agreement.
Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
WV10 6QJ WOLVERHAMPTON
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The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.