Serge Bérenger

Serge Bérenger, what is the TEOS forum?

Today, the optimization of power use in aircraft is a central question. The Technologies for Energy Optimized Aircraft Equipment Systems (TEOS) forum offers players from the aviation industry in Europe the chance to get together and debate this topic, particularly with respect to civil aviation. This year, the state of progress of work in Europe on the "more electrical" aircraft will be discussed. At Hispano-Suiza, we have been working for four years on the POA (Power Optimized Aircraft) research program, whose objective is to evaluate the electrical management performance of non-propulsive power, in particular by replacing mechanical power transmission with electric generators installed in the engine. POA is the first European research program on this kind of electrical optimization. It is run by a consortium and it constitutes one of the technological platforms of the 5th RTD (Research and Technological Development) Framework Program of the European Union. This program demonstrates the level at which manufacturers are today working in partnership (there are 43 European partners in the POA consortium), when compared to the more fragmented way in which they worked previously.

What contribution is Hispano-Suiza making to the consortium?

Hispano-Suiza is playing a major role in the consortium with the installation and running, in its Colombes plant, of an electrical characterization test rig which features a dozen or so electrical devices developed by European partners. Tests began at the start of 2005, with the objective being to finalize the POA program validation campaign in 2006. What is more, Hispano-Suiza is developing a fuel regulation system that comprises a pump driven by an electric motor and an electronic fuel dosage mechanism.
In order to be able to understand the importance of this contribution, it should be realized that an aircraft calls upon four broad types of energy: mechanical energy, hydraulic energy, pneumatic energy and electrical energy. The POA approach looks precisely at characterizing the use of electrical energy from the point of view of global, non-propulsive energy yield, and evaluating the maturity issues associated with this break in technology.

What type of aircraft is this work laying the foundations for in the future?

Tomorrow’s aircraft will be lighter, will consume less, will pollute less and will be easier to maintain. This is why the electrical systems on which Hispano-Suiza is working are just as important as the research into new materials, since these systems should ultimately bring improvements to engine efficiency. Hispano-Suiza is reaping the benefits of the indirect returns offered by the exchange of information with its European partners. Other companies of the SAFRAN Group are also involved, in particular in the areas of wiring and air recycling.
The POA program is of fundamental importance for the European aviation industry. It marks a significant step towards coordinated research between manufacturers on the issues concerning future electrical systems. This cooperation will be pursued in the 6th Framework Program with the MOET program, beginning in a few weeks’ time, and Hispano-Suiza is already preparing with its partners the follow-up to MOET for the 7th Framework Program. This demonstrates how seriously the European Union and all the European aviation manufacturers are committed to the potential of electrical technologies for power optimization in the next-generationaircraft systems and engines.