Preparing for EcoPulse Flight Trial with Airbus' cutting-edge high-voltage battery technology
Airbus Successfully Develops High-Voltage Battery for Hybrid-Electric Aircraft
Airbus Defence and Space, in collaboration with Safran and Daher, has developed a high-voltage Lithium-Ion battery system for the EcoPulse demonstrator. This battery system is a significant step towards cleaner regional aviation, as it enables efficient, distributed propulsion.
The battery system, developed entirely in-house by Airbus, utilizes advanced lithium-ion technology with a focus on achieving high energy density and operational safety. It supports the aircraft's hybrid-electric powertrain, addressing challenges related to battery weight, energy density, and durability for aviation use.
Integration of the battery system with power electronics, including silicon-carbide inverter technology, allowed meeting stringent power-density targets while minimizing the onboard weight impact. However, achieving a balance of high energy density with safety and long cycle life was critical. Innovations in battery chemistry, some from emerging solid-state approaches, were pursued to improve performance and reduce risks related to flammable electrolytes.
The battery, which weighs around 350kg and can achieve 800 Volts DC, delivering up to 350 kilowatts of power, is one of the two electric sources on the demonstrator, the other being an "e-Auxiliary power Unit" (e-APU) provided by Safran. The battery is approximately 2.3m long, 75cm wide, and 20cm deep and is mounted under the fuselage and integrated with a reinforced aerodynamic fairing.
The testing of the battery in Toulouse will evaluate its performance, environmental, and safety attributes. The results will contribute to optimizing power/energy management of non-propulsive functions on future aircraft and help Airbus develop competence for applying micro-hybridisation architectures to future aircraft.
The EcoPulse project is part of Airbus' global strategy to develop a wide portfolio of technical and industrial skills for decarbonisation. The project's success has helped confirm the feasibility of hybrid propulsion technologies and bolstered efforts towards more sustainable and efficient regional aviation solutions. The high-voltage capability of the battery is unique and not available in the aerospace or automotive industries.
The battery has been used in previous projects, such as CityAirbus and Airbus Helicopters FlightLab. The battery system incorporates a tailored Battery Management System for minimized maintenance. The battery's high power and energy density is a result of years of research and development as part of Airbus' aircraft electrification and sustainability initiatives.
The recording of 100 flight hours in the EcoPulse demonstrator by December 2024 confirmed the viability of the high-voltage Lithium-Ion battery system and the overall hybrid-electric propulsion approach. This validation of a hybrid system architecture that demonstrated promising economics for regional aircraft by enabling efficient, distributed propulsion is a significant achievement.
In summary, the high-voltage Lithium-Ion battery system for the EcoPulse demonstrator marks a significant step towards cleaner regional aviation. The project tackled key challenges in energy density, safety, and system integration to realize a reliable hybrid-electric aircraft demonstrator.
The high-voltage Lithium-Ion battery system, a product of Airbus' research, employs advanced lithium-ion technology, illustrating the intersection of science and technology. With this development, Airbus is actively exploring alternate financing options for their sustainable projects, bridging the gap between finance and cleaner regional aviation.
