The feasibility of converting an existing internal combustion powered general aviation aircraft to battery electric propulsion was studied. The theoretical performance of various types of airframes with battery electric propulsion systems was compared to determine which type of airframe would be best suited for conversion. It was found that battery electric propulsion is best used in aircraft intended for slow speed, efficient flight and carrying limited payload which is a mission typically flown in motor gliders. A reference motor glider was selected and a conceptual power system packaging design study was performed. The study determined that a critical component of the power system packaging design was the technical feasibility of packaging the batteries inside of the wing structure. This was driven by center of gravity restrictions. Technical concerns related to a battery-in-wing design were investigated, included wing aeroelastic performance, wing stiffness and wing strength. The results showed that aeroelastic flutter was not a driving design criteria for the reference airframe used as the physical size of the battery did not allow for them to be packaged in wing locations that detrimentally affected flutter performance. The battery packaging layout was instead driven by access for battery maintenance, battery safety and the battery thermal management system. Overall weight change from packaging the batteries in the wing compared to the fuselage was found to be negligible. The resulting aircraft conceptual design indicated a powered flight range with reserves of over 200 miles and a powered flight endurance of greater than 3 hours with 2 persons onboard.

Several models of battery electric aircraft are currently under development and are expected to be commercialized in the coming years. These electric aircraft are expected to require a significant amount of electrical power within a short period of time. Sweden is currently facing local and regional capacity issues in its electrical grid, leading to a decline in grid connection applications from new businesses. The objective of this thesis is to investigate the necessary charging infrastructure on-site to support an electrified air fleet. Additionally, the thesis aims to explore how local battery storage systems and a PV plant could be utilized to ensure a robust and resilient operation. In order to address these questions, a model of an airport has been developed using Matlab Simulink. A case study was conducted for an airport to demonstrate the practical application of the model. The results indicate that charging battery electric aircraft will impose a volatile power demand on the grid, with high peaks. Inadequate power supply leads to queuing issues and longer turnaround times. The results also highlight the significance of a battery storage system, as it enables the handling of more aircraft. A PV plant complements the battery storage system well, as it produces the majority of its power during peak traffic hours. The simulations further demonstrate that the PV plant helps recharge the battery storage system between the morning and afternoon traffic peaks. Moreover, detailed aircraft arrival data for the investigated airport is crucial for obtaining accurate results.