The VOLT Consortium will develop an innovative high voltage network (using 270 VDC) inspired by a Clean Sky architecture. This new architecture requires an innovative battery solution that will provide mainly pre-flight and starting power to the rotorcraft The objective of VOLT is to demonstrate their ability to: • Propose to the aeronautical industry an innovative battery concept for a High Voltage Network battery (HVNB) using an array of commercial available off-the-shelf battery cells with smart controllers rather than a single massive specific cell thus providing a far more reliable approach than classic solutions • Design, develop and manufacture a battery prototype (TRL6) and charger according to the technical, physical, and stringent environment requirements as defined in the call text • Perform the necessary stringent battery testing required before being qualified for flight testing and provide a monitoring and troubleshooting software easily used by unqualified operators • Prepare in parallel to the above mentioned research work performed in this project, the necessary pre-industrialization work to be able to meet future production demands of the VOLT battery.

The INSTEP Consortium will bring together their world-leading expertise in aircraft Electrical Power Systems (EPS) and Power Electronics (PE) in order to design, develop, manufacture, test and provide qualification for flight of an innovative Power Distribution Units (PDUs) for safe control and protection of both High-Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) and Low-Voltage Direct Power (LVDC) electrical generation systems. This will be a key component in the creation and demonstration of a Next Generation Civil Tilt Rotor aircraft. The INSTEP Consortium will combine their world-leading expertise in the technical areas of PE and PE conversion, power distribution, aircraft EPS topologies, smart-girds and their control, as well as in modelling and simulation, together with world-recognised expertise in manufacturing, testing and qualification of EPDS for aerospace applications in order to enable a step change in the design and development of future aircraft electrical PDUs by introducing innovative technological solutions, making them “smart”, safe and more efficient, hence contributing towards more efficient, greener aviation. Due to the leading role played by both the INSTEP partners, University of Nottingham and Zodiac Aerospace, in the International Aerospace Standards Committee for Aircraft Electric Systems (SAE AE-7), INSTEP results will be integrated into the development of future standards for aircraft EPS architectures and concepts. This demonstrates the international impact of the project in addition to enabling further developments in the FRC IADP by development and implementation of the power distribution centres, Topic FRC-01-09.

The Systems ITD will develop and build highly integrated, high TRL demonstrators in major areas such as power management, cockpit, wing, landing gear, to address the needs of future generation aircraft in terms of maturation, demonstration and Innovation.

WInSiC4AP core objective is to contribute in developing reliable technology bricks for efficient and cost-effective applications addressing social challenges and market segments where Europe is a recognized global leader as well as automotive, avionics, railway and defence. WInSiC4AP approach is to rely on the strength of vertical integration allowing optimization, technologies fitting application requirements, developing the full ecosystem and approach relevant issues as reliability in the full scope. That enhances the competitiveness of EU- Industries as well as TIER1 and TIER2 down to the value chain in a market context where other countries today, such as the USA or Japan, are advancing and new players accessing SiC enter in the market. New topologies and architecture will be developed for targeted application simulating operational environment, at laboratory level, driving the needed and still missed technologies, components and demonstrators to fill the gap between current state of the art and the very high demanding specifications. WInSiC4AP framework has been built so that companies working in different domains (i.e. automotive car maker and TIER1-2 and avionics, railway and defence TIER1-TIER2) and in the vertical value chain (semiconductor suppliers, companies manufacturing inductors and capacitors) as well as academic entities and laboratories will collaborate to co-design solutions, solve problems and exchange know-how, such that unforeseen results may also emerge. WInSiC4AP will be supported with synergy between ECSEL JU and ESI funding enabling complementary activities with relevant economic and social impact envisage in a less development region of Union.