Ceit participates in POWER4AIR to develop the next generation of high-efficiency power electronics for clean aviation.

The decarbonisation of air transport requires the development of new technologies capable of increasing aircraft energy efficiency while reducing both weight and electrical power consumption. In this context, Ceit is participating in POWER4AIR (High-Voltage Power Electronics for Clean Aviation), a European project that will develop innovative high-voltage power electronics solutions to accelerate the transition towards more sustainable, safer and more efficient aviation.

The initiative is funded by the Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking under the European Union's Horizon Europe programme and aims to drive the next generation of electrical systems for commercial and regional aircraft. To achieve this, the project will develop technologies enabling more reliable, lightweight and efficient electric propulsion, a key element in the electrification of the aeronautics sector.

POWER4AIR will address some of the main technological challenges associated with aeronautical power electronics through four main research areas: the development of advanced reliability models for silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductors; the early detection of critical phenomena such as electric arcs and partial discharges; the design of high-power-density active filters; and the optimisation of high-performance magnetic components.

As a final demonstrator, all these innovations will be integrated into a 250 kW high-power-density converter, enabling validation under representative aircraft operating conditions.

Additive manufacturing to reduce weight and increase power density

Within the consortium, Ceit plays a key role in the development of high-density inductive components using additive manufacturing technologies. The technology centre will design and manufacture coils with complex geometries that incorporate liquid cooling directly into the component structure.

This approach significantly increases the current density that magnetic components can withstand while reducing their weight by more than 80%, a decisive factor in improving the energy efficiency and performance of onboard electrical systems for aircraft.

In addition, Ceit will develop advanced Health Monitoring systems to monitor in real time the health status of the SiC-based converter. These solutions will enable the early detection of potential degradation or failures, increasing the reliability, availability and safety of the electronic systems throughout their service life.

A European consortium driving the future of aviation

The project is being carried out by a multidisciplinary European consortium comprising Skylife Engineering, IRT Antoine de Saint Exupéry (IRTSE), Fraunhofer, SINTEF Energy, ATR, STMicroelectronics, the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, the Universidad de Sevilla, Ascendance and Ceit. Together, they will contribute complementary expertise to develop and validate innovative power electronics solutions for the next generation of electric and hybrid aircraft.