The new powertrain developed by Airbus, which utilizes liquid hydrogen to supercool engine parts to a superconducting state, has the potential to improve the performance of electric propulsion systems in low-emission aircraft.
While the system is currently being demonstrated on the ground, it holds promise for future use in aircraft.
The new system, known as the Advanced Superconducting & Cryogenic Experimental powertrain Demonstrator (ASCEND), is currently undergoing ground-based demonstrations. According to Airbus, the three-year project aims to prove that an electric or hybrid-electric propulsion system can achieve a weight reduction of over 2 to 3 times compared to a traditional system, while maintaining a powertrain efficiency of 97 percent.
ASCEND has the potential to be a significant accomplishment in the field of advanced aeronautics. The challenge that electric aircraft designs face primarily revolves around weight. While cars can carry up to 1,000 pounds of batteries on the ground, in the air, this could determine whether an aircraft can fly or not. This is especially critical for passenger planes, which require precise balance for operation.
The hydrogen powertrain of Airbus consists of a superconducting motor, a cryogenically cooled motor control unit, and a superconducting distribution system. The main aim is to achieve a superconducting state for the entire powertrain, which implies minimal electrical resistance.
According to Airbus, the use of liquid hydrogen is crucial due to its ability to significantly increase power density without adding excess weight from electrical power.
If a cold source with a temperature of 20ยฐK (-253.15ยฐC), such as liquid hydrogen, is present on the vessel, it can be utilized to cool the electrical systems. This will allow the superconducting elements to enhance the power density of the electric-propulsion systems.
The origin of this development can be traced back to the growing use of liquid hydrogen as the primary alternative to fossil fuels for commercial airplanes. This is due to various factors, as explained in this article. One of the advantages of liquid hydrogen is its compatibility with current engineering practices, unlike electric propulsion which has not been able to integrate as seamlessly until now.
The proposal by Airbus involves combining hydrogen and electric technologies. The use of liquid hydrogen requires it to be extremely cold, but Airbus recognized that this cold hydrogen could also be used as a valuable resource. This concept is similar to how air-cooled car engines utilize the air passing through them to create a beneficial effect.
At the moment, the engineers are currently working on the system for demonstrations, keeping it on the ground. Airbus claims that if ASCEND is successful, it will be comparable to traditional fossil fuel aircraft. Although airliners present a unique challenge, Harbour Air from Vancouver is striving to transition its fleet to electric power. This feat may be challenging and unattainable on a larger scale for jumbo jets.
The presence of an ASCEND electric plane in Airbus’s future fleet would give the manufacturer a significant advantage over traditional electric planes due to its utilization of superconducting electrics, solidifying its dominance in the skies.