Rolls-Royce’s Electrical Power Distribution System (EDS) for Advanced Air Mobility distributes high-voltage, direct-current power to interconnect energy sources like battery or fuel cell with the electric motors of the aircraft. A modular and scalable design is being developed that can be adapted based on application and customer demand. Advanced EDS technology is key for the electrification of aviation, as the power distribution system can have significant impact on aircraft efficiency, safety, and weight.
At the core of the EDS sits a high-voltage power distribution unit (HV-PDU) carrying the intelligence and switches to control power flows. It is complemented by the high-voltage, direct-current wiring through which the current flows. Depending on power demand of the aircraft, several HV PDU’s can be combined, and the harness scaled accordingly.
Our Rolls-Royce Electrical team in Hungary has recently put our design of a HV-PDU featuring several novel features through validation and stress tests successfully. We talked to Lead Engineer László Csóti and Project Manager Gergely Deák about the development.