BAA Call 005 2.24.21.pdf

BAA 692M15-20-R-00004

White Paper Call 005

Aircraft Large Rechargeable Electric Energy Storage System (LREESS) Safety

February 24, 2021

This Call (005) for white papers is being issued in accordance with FAA Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) 692M15-20-R-00004, which was posted on FAACO.com on December 05, 2019 and last updated on Beta.Sam.gov on February 24, 2021. Respondents must refer to the document entitled 692M15-20-R-00004 Rev R7, Amendment 006 (February 24, 2021) in conjunction with this Call to prepare and submit their white paper. All instructions set forth in the 692M15- 20-R-00004 Rev R7, Amendment 006 solicitation document apply to the Call.

This Call provides supplemental information and specific criteria to the Government requirements. Information included herein applies to this Call only.

The FAA has an immediate requirement in support of research Topic Number:

ARSP0002: Aircraft Large Rechargeable Electric Energy Storage System (LREESS) Safety as described below. White papers submitted under this call are due by close of business on May 7, 2021. White papers received after that date will be considered under the BAA Topic related to this Call, however, selection of the technologies may already be complete for the specifics of this Call.

Topic Number: ARSP0002;

Aircraft Large Rechargeable Electric Energy Storage System (LREESS) Safety

Technical POCs: Michael Walz; Michael.Walz@faa.gov

Jolea Russotto; Jolea.Russotto@faa.gov

Copy: 9-ACT-AAQ-600-BAA@faa.gov

Background:

In the United States and abroad, experimental prototypes of all electric propulsion vehicles are pushing the envelope of electrical energy storage systems to new limits. This technology has enabled new areas such as, eVTOL, unmanned aerial vehicles, rotocraft, airplanes, and large transport airplanes. These aircrafts are adopting electric energy storage systems with increase in power consumption and electrical capacity, in the Megawatt and MW-hr range, respectively.

To improve aircraft Large Rechargeable Electric Energy Storage System (LREESS) safety, efficiency, reliability and maintainability, the aerospace world has found that progressive electrification of on-board services reduces or removes the need of traditional energy storage systems. This has led to a new understanding of electrical energy storage and a need for new industry standards and regulations.

mailto:Michael.Walz@faa.gov mailto:Jolea.Russotto@faa.gov mailto:9-ACT-AAQ-600-BAA@faa.gov

LREESS will incorporate the use of many new materials and chemistries to increase the energy storage to weight ratios. This will create a greater risk to multiple nearby systems with an unintended energy release. To prevent the risk of an inadvertent energy release the energy storage management systems will become very complex, with increased focus on recharging, monitoring and maintenance of the LREESS.

LREESS can consist of a single battery pack, several battery packs, a single fuel cell, or multiple fuel cells, along with all the supporting equipment electronics, balance of plant, and safety systems to integrate into the aircraft.

In this Topic, a modularized electrical storage system, or modularized battery system refers to a system composed of several smaller module(s) or sub-pack(s). A module or sub-pack will contain an assembly of cells connected and enclosed in an overall single enclosure. A pack will contain an assembly of modules (sub-packs) and electronics that are connected and enclosed by an overall single enclosure. More than one pack can be used in the LREESS for aircraft. This modularity places a greater criticality and stress on the aircraft electrical system. Safe design, validation and maintenance of the LREESS will be a challenge.

LREESS are new and novel designs that present many issues to evaluating the safety, and demonstrating the capabilities of the safety conditions during normal and abnormal conditions. The resulting change in aircraft large electrical systems will have far reaching implications for the electrical system, crashworthiness, generation, protection, distribution, shock protection schemes, and energy storage. To support these new technologies, changes to the entire electrical distribution systems will be necessary.

Purpose:

The purpose of this Topic is to conduct research that will address regulations and guidance associated with the electrical system architecture to ensure safety of LREESS. It will also examine the existing safety regulations and standards including 14 CFR 25.1709, 1309, 1351 and 1353 for any gaps in LREESS safety and evaluate the modularization of these systems.

Additionally, this research will produce reports detailing the research results that can be used as the basis for developing FAA regulatory standards, associated guidance and policy material, and industry standards for aircraft electrical systems. The reports will also provide the aviation industry with public domain data the will address design decisions, tradeoffs and safety implications of higher voltage being implemented on new aircraft electrical systems, integration of traditionally non-electrically operated systems, and emergent electrical generation, electrical power distribution, energy storage systems and circuit protection. This will ensure the continued safe installation and operation of LREESS.

Requirements:

The FAA would like proposals to address the specific areas listed below; however, proposals are not limited to these requirements.

• Research on LREESS including but not limited to, generation, protection, distribution, shock protection, advance EMI/EMC protection, energy storage management systems, thermal management, recharging, monitoring and maintenance.

• Research and design validation of modularization of the LREESS.

• Research on Lithium-Ion Battery including but not limited to, safe installation and containment, thermal runaway (TR), TR initiation test methods, and calorimeter testing.

• Research and testing on crash worthiness of LREESS.

Period of Performance/Rough Order of Magnitude:

Efforts lasting up to 3 years will be considered. Continued efforts at the completion of each milestone or deliverable are at the discretion of the Government, based on performance and results. These efforts are anticipated to be funded annually, subject to availability of funds.

ROM for this research is expected not to exceed $200,000.00 per project, per fiscal year for any awards made under this announcement.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

1. Anticipated Awards: Under this Call, the FAA intends to award one or more contract(s) or agreement(s).

2. Funding: Funding is currently available for research in this topic area.

NOTE: All funding is subject to change due to FAA discretion and availability. Potential respondents should be aware that due to unanticipated budget fluctuations funding in any or all areas may change with little or no notice. The FAA reserves the right select all, part, or none of the white papers received, subject to the availability of funds.

3. Submission Instructions: This is a Call for white papers only. Respondents who submit a proposal without first submitting a white paper and receiving a request for proposal may not be eligible for evaluation and/or award. Refer to the BAA Section III for instructions on white paper preparation, submission, and assessment.

4. White Paper Due Date and Time: White papers in response to this Call are due by close of business May 7, 2021 via email to the Technical Points of Contact with a carbon copy (cc) to the Acquisition Team Mailbox listed above. White papers received after May 7, 2021 will be reviewed per the conditions outlined within the BAA. However, please note, after initial potential awards are made, funding may no longer be available.