Superconducting electric power systems for hybrid electric aircraft

The purpose of this paper is to describe the necessity for the use of fully superconducting electrical power systems (SEPS) in future hybrid electric aircraft which facilitates the use of a distributed propulsion system.

The paper looks at the overall design of the electric power systems for these applications and compares the design process of a more conventional power network with a fully superconducting one. The design issues and solutions in each case are then described.

The paper concludes that SEPS will give many advantages to the aircraft design and operation.

Significant efforts needs to be oriented towards the development of fully SEPS and dedicated facilities are required for reliable experimental data that will allow the modelling of these systems.

The requirement for more experimental work has not yet been considered by the Industry, as it is a general belief that these networks will behave similar to the conventional ones.