Siemens AG, Diamond Aircraft and EADS are set to present the world's first aircraft with a serial hybrid electric drive system at the Paris Air Show Le Bourget 2011.
Siemens said the technology, which is also intended for later use in large-scale aircraft, would cut fuel consumption and emissions by 25 per cent, compared with today's most efficient aircraft drives.
So far, the serial hybrid electric drive has been used in cars as an integrated drive train. In general, it is said that in a series-hybrid system, the combustion engine drives the electric generator instead of wheels.
EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2010, the Group, comprising Airbus, Astrium, Cassidian and Eurocopter, generated revenues of €45.8 billion.
Diamond Aircraft Industries produces single and twin-engine propeller aircraft, a single-engine jet aircraft and multi-purpose platforms as all-in-one remote sensing solutions.
Siemens said the two-seater motor glider successfully completed its maiden flight on June 8 at the Wiener Neustadt airfield in Vienna, Austria.
The aircraft was built by the three partners to test the hybrid electric drive concept.
“A serial hybrid electric drive can be scaled for a wide range of uses, making it highly suitable for aircraft as well,” said Dr Frank Anton, the initiator of electric aircraft development at Siemens. “The first thing we want to do is test the technology in small aircraft. In the long term, however, the drive system will also be used in large-scale aircraft. We want to cut fuel consumption and emissions by 25 per cent, compared with today's most efficient technologies. This will make air travel more sustainable.”
POWER PACK
The plane's propeller is powered by a 70kW electric motor from Siemens. Electricity is supplied by a small Wankel engine from Austro Engine with a generator that functions solely as a power source. A Siemens converter supplies the electric motor with power from the battery and the generator. Fuel consumption is very low since the combustion engine always runs with a constant low output of 30kW. A battery system from EADS provides the increased power required during takeoff and climb. The accumulator is recharged during the cruising phase. “The serial hybrid electric drive concept makes possible a quiet electric takeoff and a considerable reduction in fuel consumption and emission,” said Mr Christian Dries, the owner of Diamond Aircraft.