Wright Electric Announces First Steps of Electric Propulsion Testing
2024年4月25日 - 1:01PM
ビジネスワイヤ(英語)
Wright Electric, a world leader in electric propulsion for large
commercial aircraft, today announced the launch of its Wright
Electric Aircraft Engine Test Cell (WEAETC). The WEAETC is designed
to characterize the performance of megawatt-class electric aircraft
propulsion systems.
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Wright Electric Announces First Steps of
Electric Propulsion Testing (Photo: Business Wire)
Founded in 2016, Wright’s goal is to decarbonize the aerospace
industry. Wright works with leading groups such as NASA, Y
Combinator, The US Department of Energy Advanced Research Projects
Agency–Energy, and the US Department of Defense.
Wright builds power dense-electric motors and energy-dense
batteries for aerospace and defense applications. For example,
Wright recently tested its industry-leading electric motor to over
1 megawatt and is planning for altitude testing at the NASA
Electric Aircraft Testbed (NEAT). Also, earlier this year, Wright
was selected to join the ARPA-E Pioneering Railroad, Oceanic and
Plane Electrification with 1K energy storage systems (PROPEL-1K)
program, which aims to develop emission-free, high-energy, and
high-power energy storage solutions to electrify domestic aircraft,
railroads, and ships.
Achieving 1 Megawatt of shaft power is an important step in
reaching Wright’s goal of making all single-aisle flights under 800
miles zero emissions. Commercial class airplanes need
megawatt-sized propulsion systems for a full passenger load take
off.
Through rigorous testing and analysis at the WEAETC, Wright aims
to validate the thermal and dynamic stability of Wright's Electric
Propulsion Unit (EPU), which is notably quieter than conventional
engines. This EPU will be subsequently installed under the wing and
flight tested, paving the way for advancements in electrification
technologies.
WEAETC will enable testing on fan- and propeller-based
propulsion systems. The testing process will unfold in two key
phases. Initially, Wright will conduct ground testing utilizing
their cutting-edge 2 MW Wright-1A motor. Initial tests will use the
LF507-1F fan module and the C-130 propeller. Subsequently, Wright
will embark on the second phase, using Wright’s new motor, the
WM2500, capable of delivering up to 2.5 MW of power and equipped
with an integrated custom drive; this motor has been developed
under the ARPA-E ASCEND program.
“Using a proven fan module significantly reduces the risk of the
test campaign and lets us directly compare the acoustic profile and
thermal signature of the electric propulsion unit and its classical
turbofan version,” said Peter Kurowski, Propulsion Lead at Wright.
“The successful ground test campaign will open the doors to a
flight test.”
Wright’s partners in this effort include ARPA-E, Rzeszow
University of Technology, CFS Aero, Avalon Aerospace, and Executive
Jet Support.
For more information, please visit:
https://www.weflywright.com/
About Wright Electric
Wright Electric Inc. (Wright) is a U.S.-based company working to
decarbonize the industries that are hardest to decarbonize. Wright
focuses on three main areas: (1) propulsion systems for electric
aircraft, (2) lightweight generators for industrial and defense
applications, and (3) specialized energy storage solutions for the
aerospace and defense industries. The company was founded in 2016
by a team of aerospace engineers, powertrain experts, and battery
chemists. Wright works with airlines such as easyJet, and has
development contracts with NASA, the Department of Defense, and the
U.S. Department of Energy ARPA-E. Wright has been funded through Y
Combinator, the Clean Energy Trust, venture funds, and family
offices.
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For media inquiries: Jill Gottlieb,
Jill.Gottlieb@weflywright.com