Electrical power generation in aircraft: review, challenges and opportunities

Madonna, Vincenzo; Giangrande, Paolo; Galea, Michael

Abstract

The constant growth of air traffic, the demand for performance optimization and the need for decreasing both operating and maintenance costs have encouraged the aircraft industry to move towards more electric solutions. As a result of this trend, electric power required on board of aircraft has significantly increased through the years, causing major changes in electric power system architectures. Considering this scenario, the paper gives a review about the evolution of electric power generation systems in aircraft. The major achievements are highlighted and the rationale behind some significant developments discussed. After a brief historical overview of the early DC generators (both wind- and engine-driven), the reasons which brought the definitive passage to the AC generation, for larger aircraft, are presented and explained. Several AC generation systems are investigated with particular attention being focused on the voltage levels and the generator technology. Further, examples of commercial aircraft implementing AC generation systems are provided. Finally, the trends towards modern generation systems are also considered giving prominence to their challenges and feasibility.

Citation

Madonna, V., Giangrande, P., & Galea, M. (2018). Electrical power generation in aircraft: review, challenges and opportunities. IEEE Transactions on Transportation Electrification, 4(3), 646-659. https://doi.org/10.1109/TTE.2018.2834142

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 3, 2018
• Online Publication Date: May 7, 2018
• Publication Date: 2018-09
• Deposit Date: May 9, 2018
• Publicly Available Date: May 9, 2018
• Journal: IEEE Transactions on Transportation Electrification
• Electronic ISSN: 2332-7782
• Publisher: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 4
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 646-659
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/TTE.2018.2834142
• Keywords: MEA, AEA, Aircraft Electric Power Generation, HEP, HVDC
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/931457
• Publisher URL: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/8355775/
• Additional Information: © 2018 IEEE. Personal use of this material is permitted. Permission from IEEE must be obtained for all other uses, in any current or future media, including reprinting/republishing this material for advertising or promotional purposes, creating new collective works, for resale or redistribution to servers or lists, or reuse of any copyrighted component of this work in other works
• Contract Date: May 9, 2018