STAKEHOLDER VALUE BASED OPTIMIZATION OF HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEMS FOR MID-SIZED REGIONAL AIRCRAFT

Abstract

Electrified propulsion is increasingly recognized as a key solution to address the sustainability challenges of the growing air transport sector. Traditional studies have often focused on specific configurations of electrified aircraft, analyzing their aerodynamic performance or environmental benefits. However, a comprehensive methodology to evaluate and optimize powertrain configurations based on a deep understanding of customer objectives has been lacking. This research has aimed to fill this gap by developing an analysis and evaluation methodology that captures and quantifies the most important customer requirements. This methodology utilizes physics-based characteristics and penalty factors related to changes in powertrain configuration and optimizes the overall system according to the specified concept of operations. It also includes sensitivity evaluations to assess the robustness of the system to variations in operating needs or technological advancements. The design methodology outputs were validated by comparing them with previous point designs, ensuring the reliability of the characterization and calculation methods. The optimization functionality was then tested to confirm the potential economic benefits for customers. This approach enables faster and more robust exploration and optimization of hybrid electric powerplants, reducing concept design cycle times and enhancing aircraft performance and economic attractiveness. Consequently, it is expected to lead to increased airframer adoption and implementation, bringing significant environmental benefits.