ASPIRE · Project

Smart Electrical Power Distribution for Greener, More Efficient Aircraft

transportTestedTRL 5

nottingham.ac.uk

Imagine the electrical system in a modern aircraft working like a smart home grid — automatically routing power where it's needed, cutting waste, and keeping everything running even if one part fails. That's what ASPIRE built: an intelligent DC power converter that makes aircraft electrical systems smarter and more efficient. Think of it as replacing the old fuse box with a self-managing power brain. The result is lighter wiring, less fuel burn, and a step toward greener aviation.

By the numbers

EUR 820,162

EU funding for smart aircraft power distribution R&D

consortium partners delivering the technology

countries collaborating (UK, Italy)

complete system delivered, installed, and commissioned on site

The business problem

What needed solving

Aircraft are becoming increasingly electric — from flight controls to cabin systems — but traditional power distribution was designed for a simpler era. Today's more-electric aircraft face growing electrical loads, heavier wiring, and inefficient fixed power routing that wastes fuel and adds weight. The industry needs smarter, lighter, more efficient ways to manage and distribute electrical power onboard.

The solution

What was built

The team built a DC/DC resonant cellular converter with automatic inversion functionality — the core component of a smart aircraft electrical power distribution system. The complete system was delivered with documentation (preliminary Design Definition Package), installed, and commissioned on site.

Audience

Who needs this

Aircraft OEMs designing more-electric aircraft platformsTier 1 aerospace electrical systems supplierseVTOL and urban air mobility startups needing power managementPower electronics companies entering the aerospace marketMRO providers upgrading legacy aircraft electrical systems

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Aerospace & Aviation OEMs

enterprise

Target: Aircraft electrical systems integrators and airframers

If you are an aircraft manufacturer or Tier 1 supplier struggling with growing electrical loads on more-electric aircraft — this project developed a DC/DC resonant cellular converter with smart-grid control that distributes power more efficiently. The system was built and commissioned on site with 3 consortium partners across 2 countries, and its results feed directly into SAE AE-7 international aerospace standards.

Aerospace Power Electronics

mid-size

Target: Power electronics manufacturers serving aviation

If you are a power electronics company looking to break into or expand your aerospace product line — this project created an advanced resonant cellular converter with automatic inversion functionality, designed for aircraft-grade reliability. The complete system was delivered and commissioned, giving you a validated reference architecture to license or build on for next-generation aircraft power systems.

Electric Vertical Takeoff & Urban Air Mobility

any

Target: eVTOL and electric aircraft startups

If you are developing electric or hybrid-electric aircraft and need a proven smart power distribution approach — this project demonstrated an Electrical Power Distribution System with Enhanced Electrical Energy Management for aviation. With EUR 820,162 in EU funding backing the R&D, the technology was tested and commissioned, offering a ready-made power management architecture adaptable to new aircraft types.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would it cost to license or adopt this technology?

The project received EUR 820,162 in EU funding and was developed under the Clean Sky 2 programme. Licensing terms would need to be negotiated with the University of Nottingham as coordinator. Given the aerospace certification requirements, integration costs would depend on your specific aircraft platform.

Can this scale to full aircraft production lines?

The project delivered a complete system that was installed and commissioned on site, moving beyond lab testing. The coordinator sits on the SAE AE-7 international standards committee for aircraft electric systems, which means the results are being fed into future industry-wide standards — a strong signal for production scalability.

Who owns the IP and how can I access it?

The consortium of 3 partners across 2 countries (UK, Italy) developed the technology under Clean Sky 2 rules. IP ownership typically sits with the partners who generated it. Contact the University of Nottingham to discuss licensing, collaboration, or technology transfer options.

Does this meet aviation certification requirements?

The project was developed specifically for aerospace applications under Clean Sky 2, the EU's largest aeronautics research programme. The coordinator leads work on SAE AE-7 international standards for aircraft electrical systems, so regulatory alignment was built into the design from the start.

How long would integration into our aircraft platform take?

The project ran from September 2016 to February 2020. The complete system with documentation was delivered and commissioned on site. Based on available project data, integration timelines would depend on your specific platform, but the delivered system and preliminary Design Definition Package provide a head start.

How does this compare to existing aircraft power distribution?

ASPIRE introduced smart-grid concepts from ground-based energy systems into aircraft, replacing traditional fixed power routing with intelligent, adaptive distribution. The DC/DC resonant cellular converter with automatic inversion functionality represents a step change from conventional aircraft electrical architectures.

Is there ongoing support or follow-up development?

The project closed in February 2020, but the University of Nottingham continues active aerospace power systems research. Results are being integrated into SAE AE-7 standards development and further Clean Sky work under REG IADP, suggesting continued evolution of the technology.

Consortium

Who built it

The ASPIRE consortium is compact — 3 partners across the UK and Italy, with 1 industry player and 2 universities. The University of Nottingham leads as coordinator and brings credibility through its seat on the SAE AE-7 international standards committee for aircraft electrical systems. The 33% industry ratio is modest, but for a Clean Sky 2 project the Topic Manager (typically an airframer like Airbus or Leonardo) acts as the end-user pulling the technology toward application. The fact that the complete system was installed and commissioned on site — not just tested in a lab — suggests strong industry engagement beyond what the partner list alone shows.

THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAMCoordinator · UK
UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DELLA CAMPANIA LUIGI VANVITELLIparticipant · IT

How to reach the team

The coordinator is the University of Nottingham (UK) — their aerospace power systems group is well-known. SciTransfer can facilitate an introduction to the right person.

Order a report on this consortium See THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to explore licensing this smart aircraft power distribution technology or discuss how it fits your platform? SciTransfer connects you directly with the research team — contact us for a guided introduction.

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