3. Electric Aircraft

Introduction

As global air travel continues to grow, there are increasing concerns about the environmental impact of aviation. It has been projected that by 2050, the aviation sector could contribute up to 43 Gt of carbon emissions if current trends continue. The combustion of fossil fuels not only produces carbon dioxide but also emits harmful oxides and particulates, contributing to air pollution. Electric power sources have been explored in aviation since the early 1970s, and while modern advancements have improved flight times, challenges such as load-carrying capacity and turnaround times remain. This project challenges students to explore how electric or hybrid aircraft can be developed and implemented to reduce dependence on fossil fuels in aviation.

Task

Your team has been tasked with designing and proposing an electric or hybrid aircraft for commercial use by 2050, with the goal of reducing fossil fuel dependency in air travel. The proposal should outline the most suitable sector of the air travel market for launching the aircraft and include estimates of research, manufacturing, and operational costs. Additionally, the plan must provide a roadmap for introducing the aircraft into the global fleet and phasing out conventional aircraft.

Considerations

1. Technology
Your design should address the power source (fully electric or hybrid), power density, flight dynamics, and overall feasibility. Consider advancements in lightweight materials, energy storage solutions, and aircraft aerodynamics to optimise efficiency. The proof-of-concept must demonstrate that the aircraft is capable of handling the demands of commercial air travel while offering a viable alternative to conventional fuel-powered planes.

Questions to consider:

• Will your aircraft be fully electric or hybrid, and what are the advantages of each option?

• How will you optimise the power density and energy storage to ensure long-distance travel with adequate load-carrying capacity?

• What innovative materials or structural designs can be used to make the aircraft lightweight yet durable?

• What are the limitations of current technology, and how can your design overcome them?

2. Infrastructure
Consider the infrastructure required to support your electric or hybrid aircraft, including recharging or refuelling facilities, airport modifications, and emergency protocols. Address the challenges related to energy supply, charging times, and aircraft turnaround time to ensure the aircraft can be efficiently integrated into the existing aviation system.

Questions to consider:

• What kind of charging or refuelling infrastructure will be necessary at airports to support electric or hybrid aircraft?

• How will you address the issue of turnaround times and ensure quick recharging for short-haul or long-haul flights?

• How can your design accommodate emergency diversions or unexpected changes in flight plans where charging facilities may not be available?

• Will airports require upgrades to support your aircraft’s operational needs?

3. Market Factors
Analyse the market demand for electric or hybrid aircraft, considering factors like flight range, passenger capacity, recharging times, and costs. You should also consider the target market, whether your aircraft is suited for short-haul flights, long-haul flights, or niche markets and how it will compare with conventional aircraft in terms of profitability and operational efficiency.

Questions to consider:

• What segment of the air travel market is best suited for launching your electric aircraft (e.g., regional, domestic, international flights)?

• How will you address the challenges of range and recharging times, and what are the projected impacts on routes compared to traditional aircraft?

• What passenger capacity or cargo load can your design accommodate to remain commercially viable?

• How does your aircraft’s operational model (e.g., flight frequency, charging times) compare with conventional aircraft?

4. Safety, Security, and Risks
Ensuring safety is critical for any aircraft design, particularly when adopting new technologies like electric power sources. Your design must comply with existing aviation safety standards, and you should assess the risks associated with electric or hybrid power systems, including fire hazards, battery malfunctions, or system failures. Additionally, consider security issues related to the charging or refuelling infrastructure.

Questions to consider:

• How will your design comply with current aviation safety standards and regulations?

• What are the risks associated with electric or hybrid power systems, and how can these risks be mitigated?

• How can you ensure that your aircraft’s power source remains safe and reliable under extreme conditions (e.g., temperature changes, system overloads, weather conditions)?

• What security measures will be in place to prevent issues related to the infrastructure, such as charging systems?

5. Project Management Approach
Develop a clear project management plan that outlines key stages, milestones, and timelines for research, development, prototyping, and testing. Consider how you will manage team collaboration, resource allocation, and risk throughout the project’s lifecycle. Additionally, provide contingency plans to address unexpected challenges.

Questions to consider:

• What project management methodology (e.g., Scrum and Sprint, Agile, Waterfall) will you use to ensure collaboration and timely project delivery?

• How will you allocate resources (e.g., team members, materials, research tools) to different stages of the project?

• What are the key milestones for design, development, and testing, and how will you measure progress?

• How will you address potential delays or technical challenges during the project?

6. Costing and Feasibility
Provide a detailed cost analysis of your proposed electric or hybrid aircraft, including research and development, manufacturing, and operational costs. Consider the overall cost of bringing the aircraft to market, including government subsidies or incentives that may help reduce initial costs. The proposal should also demonstrate the cost-benefit ratio compared to conventional aircraft.

Questions to consider:

• What are the research, development, and production costs associated with your aircraft design?

• How does the overall cost of the electric or hybrid aircraft compare with conventional aircraft in terms of purchase price and operational expenses?

• Will you need government subsidies or incentives to make your aircraft attractive to airline operators?

• How will you ensure that the long-term operational costs (e.g., maintenance, energy consumption) are competitive?

7. Sustainability, Ethics, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Sustainability is a critical driver for the shift toward electric aircraft. Provide a full lifecycle analysis of the materials used in your aircraft and explore the sustainability of the entire process, from production to disposal. Additionally, consider how your aircraft design promotes inclusivity and diversity, ensuring it meets global sustainability goals and benefits a wide range of communities.

Questions to consider:

• How will your design reduce carbon emissions and contribute to the broader sustainability goals of the aviation industry?

• Can your aircraft be built using sustainable or recyclable materials, and what is the lifecycle impact of those materials?

• How does your project address issues of equality and diversity, such as making air travel more accessible or creating opportunities for underrepresented groups in engineering and aviation?

• How does your project align with global sustainability goals, such as the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?

Further Information

1. The Conversation Trust (UK) Ltd, "Electric aircraft – the future of aviation or just wishful thinking?", in The Conversation, Aug. 21, 2018. Available: http://theconversation.com/electric-aircraft-the-future-of-aviation-or-just-wishful-thinking-45817 [Accessed: October 10, 2024].

2. The United Nations, “United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.” Available: https://sdgs.un.org [Accessed: October 10, 2024].

3. Radomsky, Lukas, et al. "Challenges and opportunities in power electronics design for all-and hybrid-electric aircraft: a qualitative review and outlook." CEAS Aeronautical Journal (2024): 1-14. Available: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13272-024-00770-6 [Accessed: October 10, 2024].

4. Eaton, Jacob, Mohammad Naraghi, and James G. Boyd. "Regional pathways for all-electric aircraft to reduce aviation sector greenhouse gas emissions." Applied Energy 373 (2024): 123831. Available: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306261924012145?casa_token=YCpaR-gLxKQAAAAA:zhZxGKwQ1GRlNZM8Q6PHvqNsIqxvKcCUueswNRIvodoNI2tji2-sR7nmQYMpCEs32x4ws8bWKQ [Accessed: October 10, 2024].

5. Thonemann, Nils, et al. "Towards sustainable regional aviation: Environmental potential of hybrid-electric aircraft and alternative fuels." Sustainable Production and Consumption 45 (2024): 371-385. Available: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352550924000137  [Accessed: October 10, 2024].