PHIADI brings hydrogen hibridation to aviation
Edair Technologies, Gutmar, and INNengine create a hybrid system that implements green energy in a smart and innovative way
The PHIADI project (Innovative, Advanced and Intelligent Hydrogen Propulsion) aims to decarbonize air transport with a system that combines the innovative single-stroke engine developed by INNengine with a fuel cell. The entire system is orchestrated by an energy management system designed by Edairtec. The technology has reached a TRL4 maturity level, with the goal of implementing it in aircraft with up to 19 passengers and 8.5 tons (CS23).
Air transport accounts for up to 3% of global CO2 emissions. Thus, the PHIADI project seek to advance the ReFuelEU Aviation initiative, outlined by the European Green Deal. To consolidate this innovative technology, which was tested at INTA of Mazagón, the consortium receives technical support from EURECAT (Catalonia), CTA (Basque Country), and Universidad Politécnica de Valencia-CTM.
A light tank thanks to composite material
The storage of H2 presents a challenge in aviation. The enormous pressure it generates must be managed efficiently in terms of weight. The solution proposed by Edairtec consists of a laminated carbon tank with aluminum liners or guides.
Intelligent Power Modules, an adaptable and reconfigurable energy managament system
The system proposed by PHIADI required a state-of-the-art energy storage and management system. The electrification of an aircraft required the design of an isolated electrical microgrid that is much more complex than that of a classically propelled aircraft. Thus, Edairtec created a storage system that ensures the necessary electrical charge at all times. This system is composed of batteries, ultracapacitors, and an H2 fuel cell.
The entire system is orchestrated by Intelligent Power Modules (IPMs). The modularity of the design aimed to make PHIADI adaptable to different types of aircraft without compromising the size and/or weight of the installation. It is a reconfigurable system using a controller with a multi-core approach that can intervene in the different modules independently.
*Arquitectura del banco de ensayos para PHIADI
The project is TESTED
After the test bench was built, the consortium carried out numerous tests at the CTA facilities in Álava. The test bench brings together the essential components of PHIADI, in addition to simulation and monitoring systems. The simulations in XPlane made it possible to expose PHIADI to real flight conditions.
From these tests, positive data was obtained on the behavior of the energy flow. Likewise, valuable data was obtained on the consumption of the INNEngine working with a mixture of H2 and gasoline. Finally, the energy storage and management system, composed of batteries, ultracapacitors and converters, was validated.
ITHICAPA, the next step
Edairtec continues investigating hydrogen hybridization in aviation through the ITHICAPA project. This project consists of putting the lessons learned from PHIADI into practice by implementing the hybrid system in a model autogyro. The project, framed within the 2024 Missions for Science and Innovation from CDTI, combines the efforts of Sofitec, Suprasys, Lanzo, and Edairtec.
The estimated budget is €1,591,345.21, which has been carefully adjusted to meet the requirements of a high-intensity, 15-month, and 21-day project. The planned activities include both analysis and simulation as well as experimental research and validation, thus achieving a proper balance.
Project cofunded by CDTI and Next Generation EU Funds of European Union.
