Sensitivity analysis of the range equation for a hybrid-electric aircraft

Abstract

This paper carries out a sensitivity analysis on the recently proposed hybrid-electric range equation. The proposed hybrid-electric range equation is based on an efficiency-based definition of the degree of hybridization and the efficiencies of respective drivetrains on the range estimation of the hybrid-electric aircraft. The ATR 72 turbo-prop aircraft is chosen as the case study for the sensitivity analysis. The sensitivity analysis done in this paper shows the effects of parameters such as lift to drag ratio, efficiencies, energy densities, payload weight, etc. on the aircraft range. It was observed that variation in aircraft range due to each parameter was distinct and unique. The analysis also depicted the implications of the changes in the above-mentioned parameters from an aircraft designer’s viewpoint. The changes were carried out using the predictions for the year 2050. The sensitivity analysis performed in this work successfully narrowed down the parameters that had the maximum impact on the aircraft range.