Conceptual Design of Operation Strategies for Hybrid Electric Aircraft

Julian Hoelzen, Yaolong Liu, Boris Bensmann, Christopher Winnefeld, Ali Elham, Jens Friedrichs and Richard Hanke-Rauschenbach
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Julian Hoelzen: Institute of Electric Power Systems, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Appelstr. 9a, 30167 Hanover, Germany
Yaolong Liu: Aeronautics Research Centre Niedersachsen (NFL), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Hermann-Blenk-Straße 42, 38108 Braunschweig, Germany
Boris Bensmann: Institute of Electric Power Systems, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Appelstr. 9a, 30167 Hanover, Germany
Christopher Winnefeld: Institute of Electric Power Systems, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Appelstr. 9a, 30167 Hanover, Germany
Ali Elham: Institute of Aircraft Design and Lightweight Structures, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Hermann-Blenk-Straße 35, 38108 Braunschweig, Germany
Jens Friedrichs: Institute of Jet Propulsion and Turbomachinery, TU Braunschweig, Hermann-Blenk-Straße 37, 38108 Brunswick, Germany
Richard Hanke-Rauschenbach: Institute of Electric Power Systems, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Appelstr. 9a, 30167 Hanover, Germany

Energies, 2018, vol. 11, issue 1, 1-26

Abstract: Ambitious targets to reduce emissions caused by aviation in the light of an expected ongoing rise of the air transport demand in the future drive the research of propulsion systems with lower CO 2 emissions. Regional hybrid electric aircraft (HEA) powered by conventional gas turbines and battery powered electric motors are investigated to test hybrid propulsion operation strategies. Especially the role of the battery within environmentally friendly concepts with significantly reduced carbon footprint is analyzed. Thus, a new simulation approach for HEA is introduced. The main findings underline the importance of choosing the right power-to-energy-ratio of a battery according to the flight mission. The gravimetric energy and power density of the electric storages determine the technologically feasibility of hybrid concepts. Cost competitive HEA configurations are found, but do not promise the targeted CO 2 emission savings, when the well-to-wheel system is regarded with its actual costs. Sensitivity studies are used to determine external levers that favor the profitability of HEA.

Keywords: hybrid electric aircraft; overall aircraft design; propulsion design; battery strategy; regional aircraft; wingtip propellers (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (13)

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