North Haven, CT (September 2nd, 2020) 
- Precision Combustion, Inc. (PCI) announced today that it was one of eight selected for award under the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) “Range Extenders for Electric Aviation with Low Carbon and High Efficiency” (REEACH) program. PCI’s project, “SOFCs for FLIGHT” will develop a hybrid solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) power generator and energy storage system for all-electric propulsion of narrow-body commercial aircraft. ARPA-E’s REEACH program is driving the development of transformational energy technologies for extending the range of electric aircraft by converting carbon neutral liquid fuels (CNLFs) into electric power for aircraft propulsion and other systems.
“This award builds on PCI innovations and experience in developing groundbreaking SOFC generators for mobile and space applications”, said Subir Roychoudhury, PCI VP and Principal Investigator. “We are excited that ARPA-E chose to invest in our innovative technology.”
PCI brings distinctive design, assembly and test capabilities to technology and product development in the areas of fuel reforming, catalytic combustion, and hybrid power and fuel cell generation systems using solid oxide fuel cells, internal combustion engines, and gas turbine power generators. The company develops clean power generation technology for military and commercial customers, and is leveraging multiple advances to bring value and unique capabilities to all-electric aircraft.
PCI’s advanced energy storage and power generator will operate with CNLFs in a hybridized system architecture for ultra-high system efficiency. In the first stage of the project, PCI will validate its designs via subscale component demonstration and a verifiable model for scale-up. It will also address performance constraints to meet takeoff/climb/cruise requirements and examine tradeoffs (weight vs. efficiency vs. complexity) to assess performance and durability for aircraft operations.
PCI President Kevin Burns stated, “Improving the carbon footprint of air travel and transport will help enable a better future. We’re developing potential game changing advances for the U.S. aerospace industry to lower carbon and greenhouse gas emissions, working to overcome barriers to all-electric air propulsion and mobile power, with potential to apply the solutions across multiple applications. I should also add that there are also other innovative companies working to develop the power systems of the future, some of whom are our partners, and we welcome this because the challenges America and the world faces will take all of our ingenuity and hard work.”
Precision Combustion, Inc. is a clean energy technology company developing, manufacturing, and marketing solutions for energy and environmental sector applications.
For more information, contact:
Tony Anderson
Director, Marketing and Business Development
Phone: 203-287-3700 ext. 290
Email: