Evaluating Superconductor Cable Integration in an All-Electric Aircraft: a Weight, Volume, and Electric Losses Perspective

This study focuses on partially using DC superconducting (SC) cables in the Electric Power System (EPS) for a short-range electrified passenger aircraft, as the significantly reduced losses of superconductors offer a major benefit over conventional copper or aluminum cables. The sizing procedure for both SC and conventional cables is described and their integration into the EPS is evaluated by comparing weight, volume, and losses as objectives through an optimization process. Results show that a trade-off exists, where conventional cables are more advantageous at higher voltages, while SC cables perform better under certain grid voltages. Despite being bulkier, SC cables offer substantial gains in efficiency among all voltage levels. Nonetheless, at the EPS level, using SC cables causes a small rise in weight and a moderate increase in volume, whereas total EPS losses remain almost the same compared to conventional cables.