Participation in ELECTRA, a CDTI PTA 2023 project for innovation in the aviation industry’s energy sustainability

Project reference: PTAP-20231023

ELECTRA aims to electrify propulsion for ultralights, eVTOL aircraft and other crewed electric aircraft. It uses battery storage and state-of-the-art energy management to provide sustainable, innovative solutions.

The project's social objective is a sustainable energy transition through fully electric propulsion, sharply reducing exhaust and noise emissions by eliminating internal combustion, improving air quality and reducing noise pollution.

Sustainability means lower energy consumption and increased flight range, alongside reduced mechanical complexity that can lower maintenance costs and improve aircraft operational reliability.

This collaborative project promotes technical synergies between participating companies, with Abervian contributing specialist battery management expertise through an advanced BMS monitoring and controlling state of charge, temperature and other key parameters for efficient battery use, maximising stored energy utilisation and cell life.

Zelestionwill focus on advanced battery technologies, designing and manufacturing high-capacity, efficient, durable and powerful storage adapted to aviation.

Embentionwill develop and manufacture the propulsion system — motor, controller and propeller — and implement fly-by-wire control with distributed redundancy for system reliability.

Completing the team, Fiber Laminates, a specialist ultralight manufacturer, will adapt the powertrain and energy management systems to an existing aircraft featuring vertical take-off.