The world’s first integrated parallel hybrid propulsion system elevated an experimental General Aviation aircraft. The result is a joint project of the Hungarian team of Rolls-Royce, the Italian aircraft manufacturer Tecnam and the Austrian engine manufacturer Rotax.
The H3PS hybrid-electric propulsion system is more energy-efficient and consumes up to 20 percent less fuel than a plane of the same size with a conventional internal combustion engine. – writes airportal.hu.
The engineering team of Rolls Royce in Hungary modified the Tecnam P2010. This means that they designed, manufactured and integrated the electric drive system, electric motor, inverter, battery and control systems. – writes Hello Magyar. The news site also adds that due to these alterations the consumption and emission data can be traced in real time.
The plane has a parallel hybrid electric driveline, which is useful in decreasing fuel consumption and increasing the range of the aircraft. Rolls Royce Hungary developed a 30kW installation that works both as a motor and a generator at the same time. When the plane has reached a certain height, the installation functions as a generator and reloads the battery.
“This can also reduce the size of the internal combustion engine: for the Tecnam P2010, instead of 180 horsepower, engineers have integrated a powerplant of only 141 horsepower optimised with the hybrid system.” – Hello Magyar writes.
Their project is in line with what Rolls Royce stands for. According to their website, “more than 100 Rolls-Royce engineers are working in Budapest to develop sustainable electrical technology for future energy conversion and drive system solutions.”
The company strives to “offer clean, safe and competitive solutions”. They also state that by 2023 they would like to be carbon neutral.