Case study on hybrid-electric aircraft designs enabled by an enhanced SUAVE version

Abstract

Hybridization seems to be a promising way for regional aircraft to reduce the climate impact of aviation in its sector. On the one hand, fully-electric propulsion offers a too limited range while on the other hand, a conventional powertrain cannot offer enough reduction in emissions. In this paper, a case study on hybrid-electric aircraft is performed enabled by an enhanced SUAVE version. A variation on several parameters is carried out for one exemplary hybrid-electric architecture: battery technology level, energy management strategies, hybridization of installed power, cruise speed and altitude. From this study a baseline design, focused mainly on environmental aspects, is selected. The impact of NOX emissions is improved by 83 % compared to the ATR 42, while CO2 has a 5 % benefit without accounting for the net-effect of sustainable aviation fuels which is not part of this study.

Comparison of Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machines for Hybrid Light Aircraft with traditional and additive winding technologies

“…This is where ICEs and EMs are combined in the propulsion system which ensures high conversion efficiencies as well as low emissions and noise pollution. HEP is considered an effective substitute for conventional aircraft up to regional segment [5].…”