Planes today generate electricity the old-fashioned way — with bulky AC generators that add weight and waste energy. The IGNITE team built and tested a slimmer, more efficient system that generates high-voltage DC power directly, cutting out conversion steps. Think of it like switching from an old tube TV to a flat screen — same job, less weight, less energy wasted. They also built a sophisticated test rig to prove the whole system works under real flight conditions.
Aircraft today rely on heavy, multi-stage AC generators that waste energy through unnecessary power conversion steps. As planes become more electric — with more onboard systems running on electricity — the old AC approach creates a weight and efficiency bottleneck. Manufacturers need lighter, more efficient DC power generation that can handle the growing electrical demands of next-generation aircraft.
The team built a complete high-voltage DC power generation test rig at the University of Nottingham, including high-speed permanent magnet machine drives, power electronic conversion with quick disconnect, a SCADA supervisory control system, and a fast data acquisition system capable of capturing rapid system changes. The rig was designed to test HVDC generation under environmental stress and degradation conditions.
If you are an aircraft power systems manufacturer struggling with heavy, inefficient AC generation equipment — this project developed a high-voltage DC power generation channel with permanent magnet machines and a full test rig that demonstrates higher efficiency and reduced mass for next-generation aircraft electrical systems.
If you are a Tier-1 supplier providing power conversion equipment for aircraft and facing pressure to reduce weight while boosting reliability — this project built an integrated HVDC test bench with advanced SCADA control and fast data acquisition, ready for validating your next-generation power electronic components under realistic operating conditions.
If you are developing electric or hybrid-electric aircraft and need proven high-speed permanent magnet drive technology — this project demonstrated an integrated HVDC power generation system with power sharing capabilities between DC sources, directly applicable to distributed electric propulsion architectures.
The project data does not include budget figures or licensing terms. The technology was developed under Clean Sky 2 (Joint Technology Initiative), which typically involves shared IP arrangements between the consortium and the Clean Sky JU. Contact the University of Nottingham's technology transfer office for specifics.
The project built a dedicated test rig for system-level demonstration, which is a key step toward production readiness. The Innovation Action funding scheme indicates the technology was targeting demonstration level. However, moving from test rig validation to certified production hardware would require further qualification and airworthiness certification.
IP from Clean Sky 2 projects is governed by the JTI-CS2 grant agreement, which typically gives consortium members ownership of their generated IP with access rights for other partners. The University of Nottingham (coordinator) and the Italian industrial partner would hold the primary IP. Licensing for external parties would need negotiation.
The project focused on technology demonstration and testing rather than certification. The test rig was designed to capture environmental effects and system degradation, which are relevant to certification evidence. Full DO-160 or other airworthiness certification would be a separate next step.
The IGNITE system includes power electronic conversion and a quick disconnect system, specifically designed for integration. The SCADA supervisory control and fast data acquisition system can capture rapid-change variables. The design also supports power sharing between different HVDC sources on the aircraft.
The project ran from November 2018 to October 2022 and is now closed. The 2-partner consortium (UK and Italy) completed all 3 planned deliverables including equipment procurement, installation, and test rig commissioning at the University of Nottingham.
The IGNITE consortium is a lean 2-partner team spanning the UK and Italy, with a 50-50 split between academia and industry. The University of Nottingham brings world-class aerospace electrical engineering research, while the Italian industrial partner (classified as an SME) provides commercial manufacturing perspective. This compact structure is typical of Clean Sky 2 projects where the work is tightly defined by the topic call. For a business looking to engage, the small consortium means fewer parties at the negotiation table, but the Clean Sky JU governance adds a layer of IP complexity.
University of Nottingham, Power Electronics Machines and Control Group (PEMC) — reach via the university's aerospace engineering department or technology transfer office
SciTransfer can connect you directly with the IGNITE research team and help evaluate how their HVDC generation technology fits your aircraft power system roadmap. We handle the introductions so you can focus on the engineering.
