NEXT generation Thermal architectures for Electrified Transport (NEXT-TET)

Research Project, 2027 – 2028

The rapid electrification across all modes of heavy transport introduces new thermal constraints. The performance of Li-ion batteries and hydrogen fuel cells is limited by the effectiveness of the thermal management architecture. Customer demands to improve range have increased on-board energy storage requirements (total kWh). Future demand in on-board energy storage will impose higher requirements on cooling. During operation scenarios such as fast charging and uphill driving generate significant transient heat loads. In aviation critical phases such as take-off and climb create demanding thermal conditions, particularly in hot weather environments. Traditional design approaches dimension thermal systems for worst-case steady-state operating conditions, leading to oversized systems, excess mass, added drag penalty and underutilised thermal capacity during most of the mission profile. NEXT-TET aims to screen and develop radical heat management concepts for next generation cooling systems to provide a step change in compactness for future electric drivetrains. A multi-physics framework for electric transport systems will be used to evaluate new thermal management architectures while including mission loads.