Aerospace power electronics and HVDC systemsprimary
4 projects
Core focus in HEPODIS, HYPNOTIC, DCADE, and ORCHESTRA — covering DC converters, high-voltage distribution, and electrical network architectures for aircraft.
Organization
SKYLIFE ENGINEERING SL
Spanish aerospace SME specializing in power electronics, HVDC systems, and electromechanical actuators for more-electric aircraft within Clean Sky 2.
Engineering firmtransportESSME
H2020 projects
10
As coordinator
6
Total EC funding
€2.8M
Unique partners
26
What they do
Their core work
SkyLife Engineering is a Seville-based aerospace engineering SME specializing in electrical power systems, actuation technologies, and digital solutions for aircraft. They design and develop power electronics converters, electromechanical actuators, and HVDC distribution systems for more-electric aircraft architectures. Much of their work falls within the Clean Sky 2 programme, positioning them as a specialist supplier in the European aerospace supply chain. They also bring capabilities in augmented reality for assembly, digital ground-testing, and human-aircraft interaction systems.
Core expertise
What they specialise in
Electromechanical actuators for flight controlsecondary
3 projects
EMA4FLIGHT developed actuators and control units, VALEMA validated them at TRL 6, and AMuLET addressed morphing leading edge control.
Wide bandgap semiconductors for aerospaceemerging
1 project
DCADE specifically targets diamond-based converters and arc fault detection for high-altitude operations — a frontier area in aerospace power.
Digital engineering and AR for aerospace manufacturingsecondary
3 projects
ARIESS applied augmented reality to assembly, DILECO digitalized ground-testing lifecycle, and HARVIS explored virtual intelligent systems for human-aircraft interaction.
Evolution & trajectory
How they've shifted over time
Early focus
Electromechanical actuators and flight control
Recent focus
Aerospace power electronics and HVDC
SkyLife began their H2020 participation (2016–2018) focused on electromechanical actuators and flight control systems, working primarily as a participant in projects like EMA4FLIGHT and VALEMA. From 2019 onward, they shifted decisively toward electrical power systems — HVDC converters, power electronics, and advanced semiconductor materials — and increasingly took the coordinator role. This evolution mirrors the broader aerospace industry's push toward more-electric aircraft, and SkyLife has positioned itself at the electrical heart of that transition.
SkyLife is moving toward advanced semiconductor materials (diamond, wide bandgap) for high-voltage aerospace applications — expect them to deepen expertise in next-generation power conversion for electric and hybrid aircraft.
Collaboration profile
How they like to work
Role: consortium_leaderReach: European7 countries collaborated
SkyLife leads more often than it follows: 6 of 10 projects as coordinator, which is unusually high for an SME. They work with 26 unique partners across 7 countries, suggesting they build fresh consortia rather than relying on a fixed circle. Their coordinator-heavy profile signals a company that can define technical scope and manage workpackages — a useful trait for anyone looking for a capable project lead in the aerospace electronics space.
SkyLife has collaborated with 26 distinct partners across 7 countries, primarily within the Clean Sky 2 ecosystem. Their network spans the European aerospace supply chain, with partnerships likely concentrated in countries with strong aeronautics industries (France, Germany, Italy, and others).
Why partner with them
What sets them apart
SkyLife occupies an unusual niche: a small Spanish engineering firm that consistently leads Clean Sky 2 consortia in aerospace electrical systems. Their combination of power electronics design, actuator development, and digital engineering tools makes them a versatile partner who can handle both the electrical and the digital sides of aircraft modernization. For consortium builders, their proven ability to coordinate EU projects as an SME — with a 60% coordinator rate — makes them a low-risk choice for technical leadership roles.
Notable projects
Highlights from their portfolio
- DCADETargets diamond-based wide bandgap semiconductors for aerospace power conversion — a frontier research area that signals SkyLife's ambition to lead in next-generation aircraft electrical systems.
- HEPODISTheir largest single grant (EUR 434,700) and an early entry into HVDC power distribution for aircraft, establishing the technical foundation for their later power electronics work.
- HYPNOTICAs coordinator, SkyLife led development of hybrid converter topologies for aerospace — bridging their actuator background with their growing power electronics focus.
Cross-sector capabilities
Energy — high-voltage DC power conversion and distribution expertise applicable beyond aerospaceManufacturing — augmented reality for assembly and digital ground-testing lifecycle toolsSpace — high-altitude power electronics and arc fault detection relevant to space systemsDigital — virtual intelligent systems and digitalization of testing processes
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