To successfully develop the ULTIMATE technologies and configure them onto the ULTIMATE powerplants, it is vital to set up a thermodynamically sound screening process. Based on major loss sources, the project will systematically search the wealth of possible powerplant configurations. ULTIMATE will also define a realistic year 2050 technology baseline to be used by all partners for technology and configuration development.
In order to develop the best propulsion solutions with radically increased efficiency, the ULTIMATE scientific approach attacks all three major loss sources simultaneously. These loss sources organise the following three categories of technologies:
In addition, ULTIMATE develops a number of radical concepts to achieve reductions in nitrogen oxide (NOx) and noise environmental targets.
The following diagram illustrates the scientific work process of the ULTIMATE project which is tailored to efficiently exploit the ULTIMATE technologies and configurations:
ULTIMATE evaluation platform and scenario development
To analyse the ULTIMATE powerplant configurations against the full project goals, an evaluation platform, designated TERA2050 (Techno-economic Environmental Risk Assessment framework adapted for year 2050), will be developed to:
The overall structure of the TERA2050 evaluation platform is presented below.