Hybrid-Electric Research Outfit (HERO)

A key priority for our Aerospace Research Centre is developing sustainable, low-carbon aviation technologies. That is why we have converted an existing gas-turbine engine test cell into a hybrid-electric research facility in Ottawa, Ontario. Called the Hybrid-Electric Research Outfit (HERO) facility, it has been designed to test and certify new technologies aimed at achieving high performance electrification of aircraft propulsion, including on-ground testing.

Our capabilities

This facility is highly adaptive, allowing testing equipment to be reconfigured to suit different topologies. The advanced components are interconnected to perform research and testing systems for the electrification of aircraft propulsion. In this facility, we have the capability of evaluating performance and reliability, and also supporting the modeling of hybrid-electric systems based on actual experimental data.

Some of our capabilities include:

  • Testing the performance of permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSM) or similar at up to 200 kW of electric power
  • Testing electrified powertrains at different DC voltages at up to 1kV DC
  • Testing electrified powertrains using different types of battery discharge curves by using a battery emulation system
  • Testing serial hybrid-electric systems by combining battery emulation and a micro-turbine generator
  • Testing different liquid cooling and thermal management conditions for electric motors and inverters
  • Simulating failures in the electric supply and control systems
  • Implementing tests of components to support certification processes

Facility equipment

At our Hybrid-Electric Research Outfit, we have access to unique facilities and equipment, such as:

  • 100kW 100-1000V battery emulation system (in expansion to 200 kW by end of 2022)
  • 30kW 100-800V DC power supply system
  • 1000 VDC 200A power distribution bus with instrumentation and protections
  • High performance cooling system with integrated instrumentation
  • Standard and high speed data acquisition systems and controller area network bus
  • 500hp Eddy Current Dynamometer

Image gallery

Axial Flux Permanent Magnet motor coupled to a dynamometer

Equipment in the Hybrid-Electric Research Outfit facility

Hybrid-Electric Research Outfit facility control Room

Battery emulation system and 30 kW DC programmable power supplies

Contact us

Business Development Team
Aerospace Research Centre
Email: nrc.aerobdt-edaaero.cnrc@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca

Locations

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