SPEC

As the center of power electronics expertise for the Safran group, Hispano-Suiza coordinates the Safran Power Electronics Center, or SPEC, tasked with developing technologies for “more electric” aircraft.

SPEC specs

Within SPEC, Hispano-Suiza leverages its proven expertise in power electronics and aircraft electrical systems to unify power electronics research by both the Safran group and an international network comprising academia, industry leaders and certain customers. A number of Group companies are involved: Aircelle, Hispano-Suiza, Labinal, Messier-Bugatti, Messier-Dowty, Sagem, Snecma, Snecma Propulsion Solide, Technofan, Techspace Aero and Turbomeca.

SPEC focuses on five main research objectives:

  • Environment: thermal management, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC).
  • Electrical networks: architecture, quality, connectivity.
  • Command-control architectures for electric motors: high efficiency and torque.
  • Power components and converters: technologies, topologies, optimization.
  • Integration: power electronics assemblies.

SPEC was created to develop the enabling technologies for “more electric” aircraft to the level of maturity expected by aircraft manufacturers (in terms of TRL, or technology readiness levels). The work by SPEC is then tested for feasibility in demonstration programs that check new concepts, systems and equipment.