Analysis of aircraft electric microgrid system with Auxiliary Power Unit using real time simulation

This paper addresses the modeling and control of the More Electric Aircraft (MEA) system used in modern airplanes in real time simulation environment. In particular, this paper examines the effect of replacing the conventional gas turbine based Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) system with a fuel cell based APU system. The voltage dynamics in the aircraft electric microgrid system and impact of the fuel cell based APU is discussed. The modeling and control of the fuel cell and battery combination including the power electronic interface in the APU is discussed. The advantages of this APU unit is examined, and the performance of the system under various loading and operating conditions is studied.