Concepts and Experiments on More Electric Aircraft Power Systems

Andrzej Gębura, Andrzej Szelmanowski, Ilona Jacyna-Gołda, Paweł Gołda, Magdalena Kalbarczyk and Justyna Tomaszewska ()
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Andrzej Gębura: Air Force Institute of Technology, ul. Księcia Bolesława 6, 01-494 Warsaw, Poland
Andrzej Szelmanowski: Air Force Institute of Technology, ul. Księcia Bolesława 6, 01-494 Warsaw, Poland
Ilona Jacyna-Gołda: Faculty of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, Pl. Politechniki 1, 00-661 Warsaw, Poland
Paweł Gołda: Faculty of Aviation, Polish Air Force University, Dywizjonu 303 Street No. 35, 08-530 Dęblin, Poland
Magdalena Kalbarczyk: Economy, WSB Merito University in Warsaw, 03-204 Warsaw, Poland
Justyna Tomaszewska: Faculty of Aviation, Polish Air Force University, Dywizjonu 303 Street No. 35, 08-530 Dęblin, Poland

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 7, 1-26

Abstract: The evolution of aircraft power systems has been driven by increasing electrical demands and advancements in aviation technology. Background: This study provides a comprehensive review and experimental validation of on-board electrical network development, analyzing power management strategies in both conventional and modern aircraft, including the Mi-24 helicopter, F-22 multirole aircraft, and Boeing 787 passenger airplane. Methods: The research categorizes aircraft electrical systems into three historical phases: pre-1960s with 28.5 V DC networks, up to 2000 with three-phase AC networks (3 × 115 V/200 V, 400 Hz), and post-2000 with 270 V DC networks derived from AC generators via transformer–rectifier units. Beyond theoretical analysis, this work introduces experimental findings on hybrid-electric aircraft power solutions, particularly evaluating the performance of the Modular Power System for Aircraft (MPSZE). The More Electric Aircraft (MEA) concept is analyzed as a key innovation, with a focus on energy efficiency, frequency stability, and ground power applications. The study investigates the integration of alternative energy sources, including photovoltaic-assisted power supplies and fuel-cell-based auxiliary systems, assessing their feasibility for aircraft system checks, engine startups, field navigation, communications, and radar operations. Results: Experimental results demonstrate that hybrid energy storage systems, incorporating lithium-ion batteries, fuel cells, and photovoltaic modules, can enhance MEA efficiency and operational resilience under real-world conditions. Conclusions: The findings underscore the importance of MEA technology in the future of sustainable aviation power solutions, highlighting both global and Polish research contributions, particularly from the Air Force Institute of Technology (ITWL).

Keywords: high-voltage DC (HVDC) aircraft power; on-board power; aerospace electrification (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: 2025
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