INEGI takes part in a European Union project of a hybrid-electric aircraft

The future of aviation is green. And one example of this is the HERA aircraft, with a size of approximately 50 to 100 seats, for short-range travel in the mid-2030s, at distances of less than 500 km (regional intercity connections), and a hybrid-electric propulsion.

ISQ, INEGI and Almadesign are the Portuguese entities participating in this ambitious European Union project in the aviation sector in terms of carbon neutrality, coordinated by the company Leonardo, and which also includes AIRBUS, DLR, Fraunhoffer, Honeywell, ONERA, Rolls Royce, Siemens, Safran, Thales, in a total of 48 partners.

This is the HERA - Hybrid-Electric Regional Architecture project, integrated in the Clean Aviation Programme, of the European Commission, which aims to define the concept and key architecture of a hybrid-electric regional aircraft, as well as the identification and development of the necessary technologies to meet the established target of 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

The HERA unveiling ceremony takes place this Tuesday and Wednesday in Naples, Italy. The project, which could reduce the environmental footprint by up to 90%, has funding of 35 million euros and will last 48 months.

The HERA aircraft will include a "hybrid-electric propulsion based on batteries or fuel cells as power sources supported by SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) or hydrogen combustion for the thermal source, in order to achieve up to 90% lower emissions," ISQ explains in a statement. "Innovative technologies and configurations to be developed include high voltage MW scale electrical distribution, thermal management, new wing and fuselage design, as well as new hybrid-electric propulsion and new storage related to low greenhouse gas emissions."

ISQ will contribute its "knowledge and experience in the development, simulation and electromagnetic compatibility testing of the aircraft's electrical installation. It will also carry out validation tests of the installation in terms of storage and distribution of hydrogen both in the aircraft and in the airport infrastructure, and also in the definition/conversion of the airport layout in order to allow a safe and efficient operation of the hybrid-electric regional aircraft".