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Modular Approach to Hybrid Electric Propulsion Architecture

Project description

Hybrid-electric propulsion: one electric power control module, two types of power production

Hybrid-electric propulsion will help reduce the aviation sector’s emissions, as part of the push to meet the Green Deal’s 2050 environment goals. The EU-funded MAHEPA project advances the technological readiness of two variants of a low-emission, high-efficiency, serial hybrid-electric-propulsion architecture. They use the same power control module (comprising a highly efficient, airborne-qualified electric propulsion motor and next-generation inverter technology) but different ways to produce power, through a flexible modular approach. One variant combines the power control module with a hydrocarbon-fuelled internal combustion engine and an electric generator to produce power, while the other uses a hydrogen fuel cell. The technologies will be flight tested for small aircraft.

Objective

The overall objective of MAHEPA is to bridge the gap between the research and product stage of a low emission propulsion technology to meet the environmental goals for aviation towards the year 2050. Two variants of a low emission, high efficiency, serial-hybrid-electric propulsion architecture will be advanced to TRL 6: the first uses a hydrocarbon fuelled internal combustion engine and an electric generator as primary power source, while in the second a hydrogen fuel cell is used to produce power showcasing the flexibility of the architecture. Common to both variants is the power control module, used to implement advanced power management methods to optimize mission, range and emissions of hybrid electric aircraft, and the new power electronic devices namely a highly efficient, airborne qualified electric propulsion motor and next-generation inverter technology. The modular approach is further demonstrated by integration and flight testing of each variant on a different small aircraft to showcase flexibility and scalability of the powertrain. A visionary implementation study towards commercial/transport category aircraft rounds up the project. The core value of MAHEPA is to build-up technological know-how and use flight test data to validate performance, efficiency and emission reduction capabilities of above technologies. This will allow to make conclusions about the suitability of these solutions towards megawatt-scale hydrocarbon driven hybrids and zero-emission hydrogen-powered solutions. For small aircraft this propulsion system development can be the door opener for a commercialized, new, low emission, highly efficient airplane category.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

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Topic(s)

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Funding Scheme

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RIA - Research and Innovation action

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Call for proposal

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(opens in new window) H2020-MG-2016-2017

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Coordinator

PIPISTREL VERTICAL SOLUTIONS DOO PODJETJE ZA NAPREDNE LETALSKE RESITVE
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 2 990 504,40
Address
VIPAVSKA CESTA 2
5270 Ajdovscina
Slovenia

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SME

The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.

Yes
Region
Slovenija Zahodna Slovenija Goriška
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Links
Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 3 180 754,40

Participants (9)

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