The world’s first all-electric jet engine, which promises to double the range of electric aircraft compared to current hybrid models, is being developed in Scotland.
Dubbed the Forerunner, the 46.45kg electric jet engine is Scottish start-up Mako Aerospace’s solution to potentially reduce fuel costs by 70 per cent compared to traditional turboprop engines.
To realise this, Dunfermline-based Mako Aerospace has teamed up with the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS), operated by Strathclyde University, to manufacture the engine. NMIS engineers are involved in wide ranging research exploring how superconductors could play a significant role in achieving a fully electrical commercial flight.
Strathclyde University graduates Kieran Duncan and Pia Saelen are leading the R&D project. Strathclyde University’s Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC), part of NMIS and the UK’s High Value Manufacturing (HVM) Catapult, is providing engineering and manufacturing expertise while also introducing potential supply chain partners from across its network with a view to eventually manufacture the engines in Scotland.
Supported by private equity funding, a prototype all-electric direct drive jet engine is currently in development. It will be showcased at a demonstrator day in October in Edinburgh, with Mako aiming to bring it to market with experimental certification within the next two years.
In a statement, Dr Jill Miscandlon, senior manufacturing engineer at NMIS, said: “We’re excited to be involved in this R&D project, collaborating with Mako and some of best minds within the areas of superconductors and electrical machines to demonstrate the vast potential of this technology and may even convince some of the bigger players in the industry to invest in the future of electric aircraft.
“The long-term goal of electric flight is the same for many within aerospace, but Mako is looking at more imminent solutions for short haul flights that we hope could act as a stepping stone to further developments in the field. Ultimately, the work we are doing now will build on the ongoing wider fundamental research.”
According to Mako, Forerunner converts more energy to thrust than any other system on the market. Features highlighted by Mako include ultra-high efficiency at take-off and cruise, fault tolerant polyphase winding, withstands full demagnetisation at 50 per cent power, and has turnkey integration with available energy storage solutions.
According to the company’s data sheet, peak power at take-off (6700RPM) yields 1627kW performance. During climb, Mako rate Forerunner’s performance at 1058kW 2610Nm at 4000RPM, and 486kW 2321Nm at 2000RPM during cruise. The company adds that Forerunner is 99.8 per cent efficient at take-off and 99.87 per cent in cruise.
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