Aviation’s Hybrid Moment: Towards Sustainable Regional Flight

• The aviation industry is developing hybrid-electric regional aircraft to reduce carbon emissions by 30% compared to 2020 benchmarks.
• Four key EU-funded projects (PHARES, DEMETRA, OSYRYS, HERACLES) aim to launch a commercial hybrid-electric airliner by 2035.
• Regional aircraft serve as the primary focus because smaller planes are easier to innovate and adapt for larger commercial counterparts.
• Hybrid technology is preferred over fully electric models due to current battery energy density limitations that restrict passenger and cargo capacity.

Project Synergy

• PHARES: Developing the hybrid-electric propulsion system.
• OSYRYS: Designing an 800-volt electrical system to handle the increased power demand.
• HERACLES: Integrating technologies into a unified aircraft concept, including compatibility with 100% sustainable aviation fuel.
• DEMETRA: Managing flight testing and integration to validate the technologies in real-world conditions.

Challenges and Strategy

• Safety Certification: Projects are working with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) from the design phase to ensure regulatory compliance for new technologies.
• Technical Milestones: ATR aims for Technology Readiness Level 6 by testing a demonstrator by the end of 2029.
• International Collaboration: The involvement of Pratt & Whitney Canada marks the first Canada-EU partnership under the Horizon Europe agreement, deemed essential for scaling hybrid commercial aviation.