Ziele des Projekts

Main goal of the MAHEPA project is to develop and improve the low emission propulsion technology from the research level to the product stage. Due to this developments the environmental goals for aviation in the year 2050 can be achieved.

The hybrid powertrain architecture in the MAHEPA project is developed in a modular approach, consisting of a power generation module (PGM), power management control and delivery module (PMCD) and a thrust delivery module (TDM).

For the power generation module two variations of serial-hybrid-electric propulsion architectures are developed:

The first architecture consists of an internal combustion engine (ICE) that is fueled with hydrocarbons and alternative fuels. The ICE drives an electrical generator that generates electricity. The electricity can be used to drive an electrical motor for the propeller or can be stored in the battery.

In the second architecture a proton exchange membrane fuel cell produces the electricity to drive an electrical motor for the propeller or to supply a battery with electricity.

The modular approach will showcase the flexibility and scalability of the hybrid powertrain architecture. By an implementation study the commercial/transportation aspects of hybrid propulsion architecture in aviation will be examined. By examining the flight tests data the performance, efficiency and emission reduction capabilities of both hybrid-electric-propulsion technologies will be validated. From those results, conclusions about the suitability of these technologies towards the megawatt scale can be drawn.