Ampaire Tests 100% SAF Produced from Electricity and CO2 in Hybrid Electric Propulsion Aircraft

Feb. 26, 2024
When combined with the SAF, Ampaire’s propulsion system performs with nearly double the efficiency, and emissions are decreased to near zero

Ampaire Inc., a hybrid electric aircraft systems developer, has completed its first ground test utilizing 100% ASTM D7566 Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) produced from electricity and CO2 by Dimensional Energy.

Ampaire conducted in-depth ground testing using its Eco Caravan hybrid electric aircraft and its hybrid electric propulsion system to validate the performance and viability of Dimensional Energy’s pure e-fuel SAF. Ampaire reported that the results exceeded their expectations and demonstrated a significant increase in efficiency compared to traditional aviation fuels.

By itself, Ampaire’s AMP-H570 AMP Drive hybrid electric propulsion units can achieve a 50% to 70% reduction in fuel and emissions compared to conventional turboprop engines.

When combined with SAF fuels, the efficiency is more than doubled, and emissions are decreased to near zero.

“The successful ground test using pure SAF from Dimensional Energy marks a pivotal moment in our journey towards sustainable aviation. By showcasing the efficiency gains achievable through hybrid electric propulsion, we are driving the future of eco-friendly air travel,” said Kevin Noertker, CEO of Ampaire.

SAF derived from renewable sources is emerging as a key solution to reducing the aviation industry’s carbon footprint. Dimensional Energy and Ampaire believe that scaling hybrid electric technology and SAF for aviation creates an additional opportunity to address the quality and cost concerns associated with SAF and paves the way for broader use in aviation.

About the Author

EnergyTech Staff

Rod Walton is senior editor for EnergyTech.com. He has spent 14 years covering the energy industry as a newspaper and trade journalist.

Walton formerly was energy writer and business editor at the Tulsa World. Later, he spent six years covering the electricity power sector for Pennwell and Clarion Events. He joined Endeavor and EnergyTech in November 2021.

He can be reached at [email protected]

EnergyTech is focused on the mission critical and large-scale energy users and their sustainability and resiliency goals. These include the commercial and industrial sectors, as well as the military, universities, data centers and microgrids.

Many large-scale energy users such as Fortune 500 companies, and mission-critical users such as military bases, universities, healthcare facilities, public safety and data centers, shifting their energy priorities to reach net-zero carbon goals within the coming decades. These include plans for renewable energy power purchase agreements, but also on-site resiliency projects such as microgrids, combined heat and power, rooftop solar, energy storage, digitalization and building efficiency upgrades.