Smart load balancing for large civil aircraft

The electrical power distribution network in the aircraft´s cabin and cargo area has typically a tree topology with a three-phase electrical power supply. This paper presents a new optimization concept for this distribution network using dynamic load balancing to reduce the peak currents of the power feeder and to minimize the return current. This technique will reduce the wiring weight and the network configuration effort. To solve the load balancing problem different algorithms based on optimum approximation and mixed-integer linear programming have been applied. In order to validate the concept a simulation model and a lab demonstrator have been built.