Recent trends towards More-Electric Aircraft (MEA) in R&D programs show an increasing role and importance of electrically powered functions instead of traditionally hydraulic or pneumatic powered systems. This has resulted in an increased on-board power generation capacity, in some cases exceeding 1 MW in civil aircraft. Further and even more increases in airborne energy usage above the few MW is expected from the partial or full electrification of aircraft propulsion. The increased use of electric power can result in weight savings, however the potential for weight savings and efficiency improvement of onboard EPS can only be unlocked if we consider the triage of the weight–efficiency–power and their interactions. Previous projects have demonstrated the importance of the Advanced Electrical Power Generation & Distribution System (AEPGDS) including regenerative storage and more electrical actuators as loads. However, most of the R&D effort was limited to the design, monitoring and control of the subsystems of an aircraft smart-grid, meaning that good performances were achieved by looking at each subsystem. Enhanced Electrical Energy Management (E2-EM) strategies are essential in achieving the above vision. E2-EM is the advanced control of aircraft electrical loads and power sources that aims at reducing generator weight and size, while also increasing reliability, by reducing the overload capability requirements of on-board generators can lead to substantial weight savings.
ENIGMA has delivered an innovative, centralised smart supervisor (CSS) embedding enhanced electric energy management (E2-EM) strategies of Electrical Power Distribution Systems (EPDS). The CSS is based on advanced EPS control and optimization methods that provide optimal management and sharing of available on-board electric power during overloading and failure conditions such that the overload capability requirement for main generators sizing can be removed leading to substantial reduction of generators’ mass. Modelling and Simulation tools for designing and testing the CSS in MIL and HIL studies were also developed and used to validate controller performance and integration with REG IADP Iron-Bird demonstrator. In addition, semi-automatic firmware generation was used to ensure reliability and safety of the CSS code. Finally, ENIGMA manufactured and integrated the CSS controller hardware in the REG IADP Iron-Bird demonstrator where integration and validation tests were performed. ENIGMA's concept, based on advanced controls is a key element in demonstrating the benefits of E2-EM functionalities and hence enabling the next wave of technology integration for Regional Aircrafts.
