The EU-funded HE-ART project will demonstrate the viability of a hybrid electric turboprop within a dedicated integrated “full-scale” ground test demonstrator. By combining an electric drive train with an ultra-efficient thermal turboprop engine and 100 % sustainable aviation fuel compatibility, HE-ART will target efficiency improvement and reduction of GHG emissions up to 30 %.
Moreover, it will integrate new technologies including core thermal engine, electric drive train, electrical distribution, gearbox, propeller, nacelle and heat exchanger. Leading engine, propeller and aircraft manufacturers, research organisations and universities will collaborate to ensure the project’s success.
Objective
One major issue is the perception of the high CO2 and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by planes for these short journeys. Hybridization of the propulsion system enables combining the technical components benefits, thereby achieving an overall efficiency improvement. It is a concept well understood by the general public, due to the hybridization of automobiles, and can bring a real impact on the reduction of GHG emissions.
While enabling rather than limiting new sources of energy in aviation, an ambitious path to reduction of greenhouse gases and the pathway to a cleaner and greener aviation for regional flights is built upon three pillars:
- Electric hybridization
- An ultra-efficient turboprop thermal engine
- 100% SAF compatibility
HE-ART will be a first step on the path to hybridization of regional aircraft and a reduction of GHG. This will be accomplished by achieving a strategic global objective of demonstrating, within 36 months, the viability of a hybrid electric thermal turboprop (e-TP) within the scope of a dedicated integrated ground test demonstrator.
HE-ART will build on existing state of the art integrating the following technologies into the demonstrator:
- Core thermal engine
- Electric motor and power electronics
- Gearbox
- Propeller
- Nacelle and heat exchanger
This will be executed in conjunction with the Top-Level Aircraft Requirements that will be defined in parallel Clean Aviation research projects. To ensure that these requirements are met in full, HE-ART brings together the leading engine manufacturers, Rolls Royce and Safran with leading airframers, ATR, Airbus and Leonardo along with key manufacturers and research organisations.
