Avio Aero to head Europe-wide hybrid electric and hydrogen energy consortium

Avio Aero said it has launched a European Union-funded programme showcasing developments in hybrid electric propulsion technologies for use in commercial aviation. The European Commission awarded approximately €34 million under its Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking for four years of work to be carried out by a consortium led by Avio Aero. Avio said that the group plans “to mature, integrate and validate key technologies necessary for a megawatt (MW)-class hybrid-electric propulsion system powered by hydrogen fuel cells” – work that is to be based on the “integration of hybrid electric components — including a motor/generator, power converters, and power transmission