Airbus partners Parker Meggitt for energy buffer

The eBuffer will maximize safety, efficiency and weight while balancing electric and mechanical constraints, as a piece of the electrical system that will complement the Fuel Cell primary power source.

Parker Meggitt is to develop an energy buffer (eBuffer) in support of the Airbus ZEROe aircraft demonstrator.

The company is working with Airbus to build energy storage equipment that will support electric propulsion. The eBuffer will maximize safety, efficiency and weight while balancing electric and mechanical constraints. The eBuffer will be an important piece of the electrical system that will complement the Fuel Cell primary power source and therefore would be one of the integral components of the Airbus ZEROe demonstrator aircraft.

The first prototype will be tested on ground in early 2023, and another model will be developed for the flight test campaign.

Patrick Blackburn, Senior Director of Engineering at Parker Meggitt, says: “We are pleased to partner with Airbus to develop the eBuffer in support of the ZEROe aircraft demonstrator. Parker Meggitt has deep expertise in power conversion and energy storage and a long track record of inventing pioneering technology. We look forward to working with Airbus to enable innovative engineering breakthroughs that lead to a better tomorrow.”