IEEE Power Electronics Magazine - December 2020 - 46

" In the next 5 years, the goal is to narrow the focus to
the most viable concepts as a means to prepare for flight
demonstrations of those concepts, " stated Cavolowsky.
The speaker revealed an electric aircraft power system test
facility called NASA Electric Aircraft Testbed (NEAT)),
which has reached operational status and is being used
to perform both industry partnership testing and in-house
NASA R&D. It is believed that the correct building blocks
are in place to test a viable large-plane EAP configuration
in the not too distant future. Meanwhile, to further advance
the technology, the agency has formed collaborations with
universities. One such partner is Ohio State University. To
improve mileage, the speaker indicated that the researchers are exploring different configurations. While weight,
density and safety is an ongoing challenge.
The next speaker Rob Del Core, an Assistant Vice
President of Fuel Cell Power System and Hydrogen
Infrastructure in the Technology and Strategy Group at the
Ricardo North America, was introduced by session chair
Prof. Sebastian. In this presentation, " Current and Future
Outlook of Hydrogen Fuel Cell on Multiple Market Sectors, "
Core provided an overview on hydrogen fuel cell power
technology, including benefits, challenges, solutions and
current applications on different market sectors from zero

emission vehicles to renewable hydrogen powered backup power and prime power. He further discussed current
U.S. and global funding opportunities and landscape for
hydrogen technologies that shape the future hydrogen
economy and energy sector. The speaker also demonstrated case studies of selected Ricardo's hydrogen fuel
cell and renewable energy projects. Current applications
identified by the speaker include passenger vehicles (Hyundai and Toyota), trucks and fork-lift, commercial trucking,
railways, marine, aerospace (aviation), and prime power
such as back-up.
The last speaker John (Sam) Holeman, Vice President, System Planning and Operation at Duke Energy was introduced
by session chair Prof. Chang. In the presentation " System
Operations -Defenders of the Grid- Past, Present, Future, "
Holeman indicated that the pace of change in the electric
grid is accelerating. " From the decarbonization of generation, development of microgrids, potential of new nuclear
technologies, development of solar and wind resources,
emerging energy storage technology, and more intelligent
customer technology, the grid is undergoing and will undergo
real change in the coming years, " noted Holeman. But in spite
of that change, or perhaps because of that change, the role
of the System Operator becomes more important than ever,

Enabling Fundamental Technologies for EAP

High Voltage Power Cabling
Goal - large reduction of weight and concurrent
increase in power for high voltage power
distribution.

Soft Magnetic Materials
Goal - improved efficiency
Soft magnetics are in all electric motors,
inductors and components, actuators, EMI
shielding, electronics, sensors, etc.

New Energy Storage
Goals
* Solid state architectures
* Safer
* New chemistries
* Higher energy densities
* Lighter weight

Shape Memory Alloys
Goals - Light weight actuation
* Stream line processing and manufacturing
* Efficient interface design
* Near net shape actuator design by
additive manufacturing

M&S Strategic Focus Areas
Multifunctional Materials and Adaptive Structures

Advanced Manufacturing

Computational Materials

Qualification/Certification/Life Cycle

FIG 2 Fundamental technologies for electrified aircraft propulsion. Source: ECCE 2020.

IEEE POWER ELECTRONICS MAGAZINE

z December 2020

IEEE Power Electronics Magazine - December 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of IEEE Power Electronics Magazine - December 2020