Electrical System Architectures for Future Electric Aircraft

The electrification of future aircraft poses significant challenges to existing electrical power system (EPS) architectures, particularly due to increasing installed power levels, the introduction of electric flight control, and the partial electrification of propulsion systems. This study investigates three novel EPS architectures designed for More Electric Aircraft (MEA) and All Electric Aircraft (AEA). All concepts are based on the segmentation of the EPS into electrically isolated sub-grids and the separation between on-board and propulsion system, aiming to improve system reliability, efficiency, fault management and certification flexibility. The disruptive architecture proposes islanded microgrids, where electrical loads are grouped by Design Assurance Level (DAL) and spatial distribution. Each microgrid is powered locally, typically by dedicated batteries, which significantly reduces cabling mass, electromagnetic interference (EMI), and system complexity. The study includes battery mass assessments for a representative 5.7-hour mission. This assessment demonstrates the technical feasibility of integrating distributed storage, considering current energy densities and system efficiencies. By decoupling safety-critical from non-critical loads and reducing reliance on centralized distribution, the proposed architectures enable scalable, reliable, and efficient EPS solutions for next-generation aircraft.