Periodic Reporting for period 2 - HECATE (Hybrid ElectriC regional Aircraft distribution TEchnologies)
Période du rapport: 2023-07-01 au 2023-12-31
HECATE is a Clean Aviation project dedicated to the definition of a next generation electrical distribution for hybrid electric aircraft under the regional pillar. HECATE has six main objectives:
• O1. Development of a holistically optimized electrical architecture
• O2. Technology brick development to TRL5
• O3. Mitigation of HV phenomena and EMI
• O4. Development of digital twins
• O5. Certification of the electrical distribution
• O6. Technology roadmap toward near- and long-term electrical architectures.
These objectives contribute to the development of technologies that enable the path toward long-term roadmaps such as that of Advisory Council for Aeronautics Research in Europe (ACARE). Flightpath 2050 sets specific goals such as 75% reduction of CO2 emissions per passenger kilometre and 90% reduction of NOx.
To meet these ambitious targets for commercial aerospace, both in terms of fuel efficiency and supply demand, a step change is needed by drastically shifting towards electric/hybrid-electric propulsion technologies that will significantly reduce the fuel burn.
This will lead to transformative technology bricks, which are holistically optimized at system integration architecture level. The HECATE project will demonstrate a >500 kW architecture in a copper bird test facility in 2025.
HECATE mobilizes a large consortium spread over 12 countries and unites Europe’s industry leaders on power distribution systems as well as small companies, research and university partners, which also ensures knowledge gained is embedded in future research and education programs.
To create awareness and facilitate a communication and dissemination channel with the general public, a webpage has been created where a description of the project, technologies developed, news and benefits of EU-funded R&I activities in aircraft electrification will be published and made accessible. Please join our community and find more about HECATE at https://hecate-project.eu.
• O1. Development of a holistically optimized electrical architecture
• O2. Technology brick development to TRL5
• O3. Mitigation of HV phenomena and EMI
• O4. Development of digital twins
• O5. Certification of the electrical distribution
• O6. Technology roadmap toward near- and long-term electrical architectures.
These objectives contribute to the development of technologies that enable the path toward long-term roadmaps such as that of Advisory Council for Aeronautics Research in Europe (ACARE). Flightpath 2050 sets specific goals such as 75% reduction of CO2 emissions per passenger kilometre and 90% reduction of NOx.
To meet these ambitious targets for commercial aerospace, both in terms of fuel efficiency and supply demand, a step change is needed by drastically shifting towards electric/hybrid-electric propulsion technologies that will significantly reduce the fuel burn.
This will lead to transformative technology bricks, which are holistically optimized at system integration architecture level. The HECATE project will demonstrate a >500 kW architecture in a copper bird test facility in 2025.
HECATE mobilizes a large consortium spread over 12 countries and unites Europe’s industry leaders on power distribution systems as well as small companies, research and university partners, which also ensures knowledge gained is embedded in future research and education programs.
To create awareness and facilitate a communication and dissemination channel with the general public, a webpage has been created where a description of the project, technologies developed, news and benefits of EU-funded R&I activities in aircraft electrification will be published and made accessible. Please join our community and find more about HECATE at https://hecate-project.eu.
HECATE has finalized the top-level requirement definition, and it is currently in the design phase of the technology having some of the first Preliminary Design Reviews (PDRs) already occurring. The setting and requirement phase defines the means and tools for efficient collaboration between partners and the baseline requirements that will define the electrical architecture and the design of the technology bricks. During this first year, HECATE has achieved the following key milestones:
1. The definition of the top-level requirements.
2. The definition of the electrical distribution architecture,
3. The definition of the requirements for the design of power converters, primary distribution and power management system. A preliminary design review has been completed for primary distribution and power management and control system.
4. The definition of a validation and verification plan towards the final validation in a test bench (copper bird) at the end of 2025, with a successful PDR completed for said test bench.
5. A definition of an Impact Monitoring process where certain Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and a technology roadmap, towards project objectives and Clean Aviation program aims, is outlined.
6. The definition of interactions with other Clean Aviation programs aiming towards a common platform under the regional pillar.
7. The implementation of tools, mechanisms, and rules for the collaboration of all partners. With both a legal framework defined, and an operational process outlined.
1. The definition of the top-level requirements.
2. The definition of the electrical distribution architecture,
3. The definition of the requirements for the design of power converters, primary distribution and power management system. A preliminary design review has been completed for primary distribution and power management and control system.
4. The definition of a validation and verification plan towards the final validation in a test bench (copper bird) at the end of 2025, with a successful PDR completed for said test bench.
5. A definition of an Impact Monitoring process where certain Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and a technology roadmap, towards project objectives and Clean Aviation program aims, is outlined.
6. The definition of interactions with other Clean Aviation programs aiming towards a common platform under the regional pillar.
7. The implementation of tools, mechanisms, and rules for the collaboration of all partners. With both a legal framework defined, and an operational process outlined.
In terms of technology development, by the end of the project HECATE should achieve an electrical distribution of at least 500 kW that will:
• Minimize the weight penalty of the electrical distribution. Accounting for both technological management and energy management improvements.
• Maximize overall power distribution efficiency.
• Optimize individual technologies to achieve higher power to weight and power to volume ratios.
• Optimize the electrical power management to reduce the power consumption.
This technology development will enable higher level impact that can be grouped in two major pillars:
• Industrial competitiveness and economy impacts:
o Changes to the aviation ecosystem. (e.g. organisations moving to another supply chain tier position, newcomers embedded into the ecosystem, new and more jobs).
o Changes to the power network work force in terms of skill set and education programs.
o Increasing the innovation capacity of project partners and wider community.
o Stakeholder engagement from Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) to wider supply chain.
• Environmental and societal impacts.
o Fostering a sector-wide coherent response strategy to comply with EU policies targeting aviation’s goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
HECATE will contribute to major industrial, environmental and societal changes by developing technologies considering their life cycle analysis. These are important points to impact the Clean Aviation program with an electrical distribution that is ready to be exploited and implemented in the phase 2 of Clean Aviation.
• Minimize the weight penalty of the electrical distribution. Accounting for both technological management and energy management improvements.
• Maximize overall power distribution efficiency.
• Optimize individual technologies to achieve higher power to weight and power to volume ratios.
• Optimize the electrical power management to reduce the power consumption.
This technology development will enable higher level impact that can be grouped in two major pillars:
• Industrial competitiveness and economy impacts:
o Changes to the aviation ecosystem. (e.g. organisations moving to another supply chain tier position, newcomers embedded into the ecosystem, new and more jobs).
o Changes to the power network work force in terms of skill set and education programs.
o Increasing the innovation capacity of project partners and wider community.
o Stakeholder engagement from Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) to wider supply chain.
• Environmental and societal impacts.
o Fostering a sector-wide coherent response strategy to comply with EU policies targeting aviation’s goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
HECATE will contribute to major industrial, environmental and societal changes by developing technologies considering their life cycle analysis. These are important points to impact the Clean Aviation program with an electrical distribution that is ready to be exploited and implemented in the phase 2 of Clean Aviation.