MODELflyg

The project wanted to create conditions for battery-electric aviation as one of the pieces of the puzzle for sustainable and accessible flights, partly through an in-depth modelling study where actual flight data is used to develop an analysis tool for electrification of various air transport flows, but also from an air traffic control perspective. Fully electrified flights can mean zero operational emissions of greenhouse gases, high energy efficiency, significantly lower fuel and maintenance costs, lower noise levels and shorter runways.

In summary, electric aviation can create a new way of thinking about this mode of transport in general, where we can fly sustainably and cost-effectively even shorter distances, with smaller aircraft, directly from where you are, to where you are going. However, to enable the introduction of electric aviation as a mode of transport, planning and preparation of our airports is required. If there is no sufficient infrastructure on the ground that can support electric aircrafts, we will not get anywhere. Thus, it is necessary to investigate and create indications right now of the requirements that the introduction of this technology places on the airports and the air transport system itself - only then can the real, large-scale implementation planning begin.

The long-term purpose of the project was to contribute to the quantification of infrastructure needs for systematic implementation of electric aviation as an important part of the transition to a sustainable transport system. To meet that purpose, the project addressed two different sub-tracks:

1. Electric aviation on the ground - Given different degrees of electrification of air transport, or different electrification strategies; what does the recipient (typically the airport) need to prepare for in order to facilitate the transport work with regard to current and/or any future activity?
2. Electric aviation in the air - What does the future of electric aviation mean for the existing airspace infrastructure, what new requirements and new opportunities arise, and how can we effectively work with these from an air traffic control perspective to facilitate the introduction of electric aviation?

The overall goal of the project was to develop a generic and flexible simulation model that fulfils the project's purpose, primarily from a quantified charging infrastructure perspective, but partly also what electric aviation can mean from an air traffic control perspective, to also take into account the effects that this technology creates in regards to coordination and operation of the air transport of the future. The involved partners in the project ensured that the simulation model that was developed became as relevant as possible through representation in areas of;

• Air traffic control
• Airport & airport owners
• Aircraft modelling and power supply simulations

Effects

The project's deliverables include:

• Estimations of power supply capacity needed at airports given what air traffic flows that are electrified,
• Smart-charging algorithms for peak-load reduction and load-balancing,
• Inputs on how a future introduction of electric aircraft may affect surrounding electricity networks. Does there need to be any reinforcement? Can you work with local production of renewable energy to cover a certain part of the energy needs?
• Understanding of what new opportunities and limitations the technology entails from both an infrastructure and an air traffic control perspective.
• Simple, well-developed methods and models for assessing the future potential of electric aviation, which increases the knowledge of, for example, authorities and other public entities that have the highest responsibility for driving the transition to a more sustainable transportation system.