Europe’s Clean Aviation programme has awarded a EUR 5 million grant to the Lithium-based Innovation for Modular Energy (LIME) Ascendance-led consortium, and its partners EXOES, Basquevolt, and Chair of Production Engineering of E-Mobility Components (PEM) of RWTH Aachen University.
The grant will support the development and demonstration of an aviation-grade battery system for hybrid-electric propulsion, primarily targeting next-generation regional aircraft with entry into service expected by 2035.
“We’re honored by Clean Aviation’s decision and the trust expressed by the sector and our consortium partners. Their support affirms both Ascendance’s expertise and the market’s belief in the STERNA Hybrid Pack as a catalyst for cleaner air transport,” commented Jean-Christophe Lambert, CEO of Ascendance.
According to the company, the LIME project addresses six key objectives for the aerospace industry:
- Safety & End-User-Centric Design: Design a battery system that meets stringent certification standards and user requirements for aviation, especially CS25 applications.
- Disruptive Battery Innovation: Push the boundaries of current technology with a battery system surpassing existing capabilities in cell technology, thermal management, and composite casing.
- TRL4 Prototyping: Manufacture and test a TRL4 prototype including cell blocks, battery management, and thermal systems, followed by ground demonstrations.
- Digital Twin Agility: Utilize high-fidelity digital twins to optimize development, reduce costs, and minimize physical prototyping, ensuring rapid design validation.
- Roadmap to Entry Into Service: Support integration studies and create an industrialization plan to prepare the battery system for service in regional aircrafts, specifically targeting the ATR 42/72 for entry into service by 2035.
- Maximize European Impact: Advance critical aviation technology to benefit European society, economy, and competitiveness by disseminating research and results widely.
For more information
https://www.ascendance-ft.com/
(Image: STERNA Hybrid Pack)