Abstract
The feasibility of regional electric aviation to reduce environmental impact highly depends on technological advancements of energy storage techniques, available battery energy density, and high-power electric motor technologies. However, novel airframe technologies also strongly affect the feasibility of a regional electric aircraft. In this paper, the influence of novel technologies on the feasibility of regional electric aviation was investigated. Three game-changing technologies were applied to a novel all-electric regional aircraft: active flow control, active load alleviation, and novel materials and structure concepts. Initial conceptual design and mission analysis of the aircraft was performed using the aircraft design framework SUAVE, and the sensitivity of the most important technologies on the aircraft characteristics and performance were studied. Obtained results were compared against a reference ATR-72 aircraft. Results showed that an all-electric aircraft with airframe technologies might be designed with the maximum take-off weight increase of 50% starting from the battery pack energy density of 700 Wh/kg. The overall emission level of an all-electric aircraft with novel technologies is reduced by 81% compared to the ATR-72. On the other hand, novel technologies do not contribute to the reduction in Direct Operating Costs (DOC) starting from 700 Wh/kg if compared to an all-electric aircraft without technologies. An increase in DOC ranges from 43% to 30% depending on the battery energy density which creates a significant market obstacle for such type of airplanes. In addition, the aircraft shows high levels of energy consumption which concerns its energy efficiency. Finally, the sensitivity of DOC to novel technologies and sensitivities of aircraft characteristics to each technology were assessed.
Highlights
Significant climate changes and potential environmental impact due to increased transportation in the near future have motivated many industries to focus on reducing CO2 and NOx emissions
Under Flightpath 2050 [1], The European Commission has set a future challenge for the new generation of aircraft to reduce their total emission
The ferry range of the all-electric aircraft is limited to no more than 1870 km compared to 3380 km for the ATR-72 and has a 42% increase in Direct Operating Costs (DOC) with respect to the reference which will create substantial market application problems for this type of airplane
Summary
Significant climate changes and potential environmental impact due to increased transportation in the near future have motivated many industries to focus on reducing CO2 and NOx emissions. As a major transportation method, the aviation industry follows the trend to reduce the emission of new generations of aircraft. Improvements in airframe and engine technologies increase aircraft efficiency and reduce their emission. A potential increase in air transportation may still lead to an increase in overall CO2 and NOx emissions. Under Flightpath 2050 [1], The European Commission has set a future challenge for the new generation of aircraft to reduce their total emission.
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