Technology Roadmap and Conceptual Design Of Hybrid and Electric Configurations in the Commuter Class

Abstract

The growing sensitivity to the problem of sustainability requires a rethinking of how aviation is typically conceived by modern society. The aim of the research today must be to analyze the feasibility of disruptive solutions, which drastically reduce consumption and make it possible to meet the growing demand in the commercial aviation sector. The current level of technological maturity does not allow direct implementation on large commercial aircraft, which are responsible for most of the emissions from aviation. In this context, the Clean Sky 2 ELICA project aims to trace a technological roadmap towards green aviation, using the Small Air Transport as a test bed. Two different 19-seat commuter aircraft are presented in this work. The first one, with entry into service in 2025, presents a hybrid-electric architecture with batteries. The second configuration, with entry into service in 2035, is entirely propelled with hydrogen fuel cells, allowing the direct emissions of carbon and nitrogen oxides to be totally eliminated. Both configurations benefit from distributed electric propulsion.