New Study Reveals Breakthrough in Electric Aviation Potential
Last updated at 30 September 2024
Aerospace startup Elysian comes out of stealth mode developing 90-passenger, battery-electric aircraft derived from research with Delft University of Technology.
January 10th, 2024 - Delft, The NetherlandsAerospace startup Elysian, in collaboration with Delft University of Technology, announces new research findings that demonstrate viability for battery-electric air travel on a larger scale than previously thought possible. Revised calculations, based on new design principles, signal a paradigm shift in the potential of battery electric flight. This involves a 90-passenger, battery-electric aircraft capable of traveling 800 km with a pack energy density of 360 Wh/kg. Based on these findings, Elysian was established to continue development of this aircraft, aiming to become operational by 2033.Traditionally, battery-electric flying was not considered a mainstream aviation solution given assumed limitations in aircraft capacity and range. However, this perception is being challenged by two scientific papers, ‘A new perspective on battery-electric aviation, part I and II’ authored by Rob Wolleswinkel, Reynard de Vries, Maurice Hoogreef, and Roelof Vos.The first scientific paper re-examines assumptions that lead to the current perception of limited applicability for battery-electric aircraft, and presents new parametric designs for a feasible battery-electric aircraft with 40-120 passengers, capable of flying up to 1000 km cruise range."Contrary to common belief, large battery-electric aircraft can carry much more energy and are aerodynamically more efficient than originally assumed," says Elysian Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer, Rob Wolleswinkel. "Instead of a turboprop aircraft, we considered first-generation narrow-body jets as a reference point. While these jets were fuel-inefficient, they were designed for long ranges and carried a high energy mass relative to the total aircraft mass. That served as inspiration for our electric aircraft design."The second research paper outlines the design of a 90-passenger battery-electric aircraft. This aircraft is capable of traveling up to 800 km on battery power alone, assuming a battery pack energy density of 360 Wh/kg. It meets the required specifications through various design choices, which include:
Placing batteries in the wing to lighten the aircraft–this puts the load where the lift is and uses the available space in the wingbox.
Reduced propeller diameter thanks to distributed electric propulsion (DEP), which enables a low- wing configuration with a wing-mounted landing gear. This leads to lighter landing gear and fuselage.
Larger wings and a smaller body (compared to a conventional aircraft) can substantially increase the aerodynamic efficiency without advanced technology.
Given the large wingspan, foldable wingtips are used to optimize aerodynamic performance and fit within gate span constraints.
Using a gas-turbine-based “reserve energy system” to provide energy to the batteries and motors during diversion or loitering. The reserve energy system is designed to cover reserves, not to extend mission range.
Joris Melkert, Senior Lecturer Aerospace Engineering at Delft University of Technology: “We expect Elysian to make a significant contribution to discovering the boundaries of battery electric flying by taking a refreshingly new look at the combination of technology and design. We wholeheartedly support their systematic and scientific approach and look forward to their solutions to the technological challenges ahead.”These research findings are a significant step forward for sustainability and electric aviation innovation with the potential to change how the industry looks at accelerating a more future-proof vision of air travel.Currently, flights up to 1000 km make up 50% of all scheduled flights worldwide and are responsible for about one-fifth of all aviation-related CO2 emissions. The introduction of battery-electric aircrafts for short-haul flights has the potential to drastically reduce the aviation industry’s climate impact. Additionally, this design achieves up to five times higher efficiency per passenger kilometer than hydrogen or SAF-powered aircraft, matching the energy efficiency of an average electric car with 1.2 passengers. Finally, due to its high passenger capacity, this aircraft presents an economically viable and competitive alternative to the conventional aircraft.While these findings indicate that the feasibility of large-scale battery-electric aircraft is within reach, several technical challenges must be resolved during the development of such aircraft. These include battery cell development and integration, thermal management, reserve energy system design and certification, and high voltage power transmission.Elysian is collaborating with leading institutes like Delft University of Technology, Twente University, Royal Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR), and Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR) to solve these questions before finalizing a design.About Elysian: Elysian is a Dutch aerospace company reimagining the future of sustainable air travel through innovative battery-electric aircraft design. Founded by Rob Wolleswinkel, Reynard de Vries, and Daniel Rosen Jacobson and backed by Panta Holdings and Caravelle, Elysian is developing the first-ever 90-passenger, battery-electric aircraft with the potential to travel 800 km. Former Boston Consulting Group partner, Rob Wolleswinkel, previously held roles at Fokker Aircraft and the Royal Netherlands Air Force, and also works as a part-time pilot at Zeusch Aviation. In 2020, Rob began collaborating with Panta Holdings, an aerospace investor and owner of Fokker Services Group and Fokker Next Gen, to realize his dream of developing a battery-electric aircraft. After establishing a research partnership with Delft University of Technology for the conceptual development of the aircraft, Reynard de Vries, the Director of Design and Engineering with a PhD in hybrid and electric aircraft design, and Daniel Rosen Jacobsen, a former executive at Google and MyCujoo who is now the co-CEO and Chief Business Officer, joined Rob to officially launch Elysian in 2023.