To handle the massive amounts of electricity generated by the non-bleed adapted General Electric GEnx-1B engine for the Boeing 787, the engine manufacturer has had to devise an extra-large load bank modification for its 747 flying testbed, shown in detail for the first time. The GEnx can generate more than 1MW of power to meet the "more electric" requirements of the 787, which uses electricity for several systems in place of a conventional pneumatic power system. The load bank, pictured in its belly fairing at GE's Victorville, California site, absorbs the energy generated by the engine that would normally be used for systems power in the 787, and converts it into heat. The heat is then blown out of the exhaust vents pictured beneath the load bank.

Source: Flight International

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