VerdeGo Aero reveals spec of its hybrid-electric generator for VTOL, CTOL and STOL aircraft configurations
VerdeGo Aero has unveiled its third generation hybrid-electric hardware which is applicable to VTOL, CTOL and STOL aircraft configurations.
The VH‑3–185 is also the first generation to be slated for large-scale production and certification as a product line. It enables airframers to design electric aircraft that can efficiently convert jet fuel to electrons, opening the door to a wide array of new aircraft configurations feasible for robust commercial missions.
Dr. Pat Anderson, Chief Technology Officer of VerdeGo Aero, said: “Electrification enables new aircraft designs and new missions by giving airframers the freedom to position propulsors to maximize aerodynamics, control, and safety.
“The key to enabling these benefits is an efficient hybrid power plant that makes the aircraft extremely capable in an operational environment. The VH‑3–185 is the culmination of years of research into making electrification practical and useful.
The VH‑3–185 unit can be installed in configurations that enable multiple operating modes including:
• Providing 185kW of electrical power to arrays of electric propulsion motors and/or onboard battery packs in a series-hybrid architecture
• Directly driving a prop/rotor with up to 185kW of shaft power from the diesel engine in a parallel-hybrid architecture*
• Operating the generator as a motor powered by an onboard battery pack to provide up to 185kW from the generator in a parallel-hybrid architecture*
• Directly driving a prop/rotor with less than 185kW while sending the balance of the power from the diesel engine to power distributed electric power arrays, active aerodynamics, onboard systems, and/or battery packs*
• Operating in “burst power” mode delivering the combined output of the diesel engine and the generator (operating as a motor powered by an onboard battery pack) for up to 370kW of shaft power*
* An optional shaft power output is available for configurations requiring both electrical and mechanical power output from the VH‑3.
The diesel engine inside the VH‑3 is an exclusive variant of the certified SMA SR-305 that is developed for VerdeGo’s hybrid systems. The VH‑3’s diesel-hybrid architecture is also compatible with globally-available jet fuel or biofuel substitutes.
This configuration provides compatibility with existing fuel infrastructure and eliminates landing pad delays inherent with electric charging. In many cases, hybrid aircraft using the VH‑3 can be designed to carry sufficient fuel to operate multiple back-to-back missions, both increasing utilisation of the aircraft and eliminating the need for new energy infrastructure altogether at some landing sites.
VerdeGo Aero has said that compared with turbine hybrids, the VH‑3–185 has significantly lower operating costs and emissions, with 40 per cent better fuel economy and lower overhaul costs, all while being significantly quieter.
And when compared to state-of-the-art batteries, the VH‑3–185 typically delivers a four to seven-times increase in endurance, while also having lower operating costs due to the amortized per-flight cost of large, life-limited battery packs that may need frequent replacement.
Eric Bartsch, Chief Executive Officer at VerdeGo Aero, added: “The VH‑3 hybrid system is designed to be compatible with the rationale for electrification, allowing airframers to develop hybrid-electric aircraft with mission capabilities that may not be available for 20 years in the battery-electric market, while enabling compliance with Part 91 or Part 135 energy reserve requirements for safe flight planning.”
Regarded as a key player in propulsion technologies for the next generation of electric aircraft, VerdeGo Aero has already announced several partnerships in the industry, including eVTOL aircraft developer Jaunt Air Mobility, eSTOL aircraft developer Airflow and XTI Aircraft.