Cutting Carbon: GE Engineers Explain How The Aviation Industry Can Help Decarbonize the World

Countries and companies have been looking for ways to cut carbon, and the aviation industry, which contributes about 2% of global carbon emissions, is no different. In 2021, the Air Transport Action Group, whose members include GE Aviation, declared the aviation industry's commitment to a goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

As one of world's largest makers of aircraft engines, GE Aviation has been working on advanced technologies and materials that can help cut fuel consumption and even enable hybrid electric design. GE is also making sure its engines can fly on sustainable aviation fuel, and the company is developing software that can help airlines fly smarter and manage their carbon emissions.

Many of these topics came up for discussion during the new season of GE Gas Power's popular "Cutting Carbon" podcast. The host, Jeffrey Goldmeer, interviewed Arjan Hegeman, GE Aviation's general manger for advanced technologies. Over two episodes, the engineers discussed projects like CFM International's Revolutionary Innovation for Sustainable Engines (RISE) Program to demonstrate advanced technologies for the next generation of engines, with the goal of using 20% less fuel and produce 20% fewer CO₂ emissions than the most efficient jet engines built today. (CFM is a 50-50 joint company between GE and Safran Aircraft Engines.) They also talked about hybrid electric propulsion and hydrogen-powered flight.

"GE Aviation has a robust pipeline of breakthrough technologies to help achieve our ambitious decarbonization goals for aircraft engines," Hegeman said. You can listen to the podcast here.

Top image: The open rotor engine design is part of CFM International's Revolutionary Innovation for Sustainable Engines (RISE) Program to demonstrate advanced technologies for the next generation of engines,