The Impact of Battery Performance on Urban Air Mobility Operations

Xiaotao Qiao; Guotao Chen; Weichao Lin; Jun Zhou

doi:10.3390/aerospace10070631

Aerospace (Jul 2023)

The Impact of Battery Performance on Urban Air Mobility Operations

Xiaotao Qiao,
Guotao Chen,
Weichao Lin,
Jun Zhou

Affiliations

Xiaotao Qiao: School of Aerospace Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
Guotao Chen: School of Aerospace Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
Weichao Lin: School of Aerospace Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
Jun Zhou: School of Aerospace Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/aerospace10070631
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 10, no. 7
p. 631

Abstract

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Urban air mobility (UAM) is a promising transportation concept that can effectively address city traffic congestion and environmental pollution. Power batteries are used extensively in UAM vehicles, and their technical characteristics (charge rate and specific energy) are coupled with other sizing parameters to significantly impact the direct operating cost (DOC). This study develops a DOC model based on a standard flight profile and a detailed battery model to determine the impact of battery performance on UAM operations. The results reveal that for a given operating model and current battery technology, there is a narrower charge rate choice for different DOCs; a charging rate of at least 2–2.5 C is required for rational design. Advancements in specific energy are expected to reduce the DOC by 20–25% by 2035. This model reflects the impacts of battery performance on UAM operations, which is conducive to further developments in the UAM market.

Published in Aerospace

ISSN: 2226-4310 (Online)
Publisher: MDPI AG
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Technology: Motor vehicles. Aeronautics. Astronautics
Website: http://www.mdpi.com/journal/aerospace

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Abstract

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