EVALUATION AND SIMULATION OF PARALLEL HYBRID ELECTRIC PROPULSION WITH REAL FLIGHT DATA

Abstract

This study aims to explore the feasibility and limitations of hybrid electric aircraft within the short-haul commer- cial aviation industry. It investigates a number of parallel hybrid electric propulsion models varying in technology level (current 2023 state of the art, 2035 conservative projections and 2035 optimistic projections) developed in the multi-physics modelling tool NPSS and simulated over a sample of real-world missions of various ranges: Long – 1308nmi, Medium – 519nmi and Short – 300nmi, employing the open-source Python based mission modelling tool SUAVE. The electric drivetrain was set up to provide supplementary power to both the low and high pressure shafts of the turbofans engines during cruise, reducing the power demand of the turbofan’s core and reducing fuel consumption. The objectives of this research are to firstly define each models’ maximum degree of hybridization under allowable weight and technological constraints, and secondly to quantify the fuel, cost and energy saving benefits of parallel hybrid electric propulsion. Finally, to identify the influence of electrical component technology level and ultimately determine the feasibility of future parallel hybrid aircraft.