January 2026
To be future proof, airports must prepare to charge diverse electric aircraft with varying voltage needs. This calls for smart, flexible solutions that avoid costly infrastructure upgrades. Within the TULIPS project, Work Package 2 therefore developed and tested a modular, voltage‑agnostic charging system designed for this future. Its configurable modules can be arranged in series or parallel to deliver the required voltage or capacity, enabling airports to support multiple aircraft types efficiently. This approach offers a practical pathway to lowering emissions while keeping operations resilient and affordable.
Modular Charging Demo Team
First responders in action
What Exactly Was Tested?
The team developed and evaluated a modular charging system designed to work with electric aircraft using different battery voltages. The system went through design, development, and manufacturing stages, followed by an evaluation phase to test its capabilities. Using certified aircraft propulsion batteries produced by Pipistrel Vertical Solutions (PVS), the team conducted several charging scenarios—both during internal testing and at the live demonstration in Oslo. These tests were carried out safely and proved that the system can also support simultaneous charging of batteries that need different voltage levels.
In addition to charging demonstrations, the team performed thermal runaway containment and propagation tests. These were used for first responder training and helped the Oslo Airport Fire Brigade better understand and manage fire risks linked to battery systems..
Who Was Involved in the Demo?
PVS collaborated with NLR (Royal Netherlands Aerospace Centre), Schiphol Group and Avinor to carry out the demonstration in Oslo. PVS led the concept design and manufacturing of the system, while NLR and Avinor supported project management and onsite testing activities. Some TULIPS consortium members also contributed as beneficiaries within the project.
Charging process is monitored using Human Machine Interface of the Modular charging system
Avinor fire brigade sensing the maximum surface temperature remotely using a thermal camera
Why Test this System?
Testing the system in a realistic airport environment was essential. It allowed the team to validate how the system performs under real operational and environmental conditions. The ultimate goal is to integrate this technology into electric aircraft themselves, helping airports prepare for a future with diverse electric aircraft fleets.
A higher Technology Readiness Level (TRL) also makes it easier for airports to adopt similar systems elsewhere. Beyond charging, the modular setup could also support grid stability tests, all while reducing the need for costly infrastructure changes at airports.
What Did the Demo Aim to Achieve?
The demonstration showed that the system can charge different battery modules with voltages up to 1.5 kV at a single charging point. This makes the solution scalable, cost‑efficient, and adaptable for different aircraft configurations.
The demo was a major step in validating the system’s performance and scalability. Insights from this phase will help further improve overall charging efficiency.
Challenges During Development
Because the technology is novel, the development team faced challenges—especially in software development and adapting components to real environmental conditions. Some elements behaved differently in fluctuating temperatures compared to earlier room‑temperature tests, although the demo in Oslo proceeded without interruption.
Lessons Learned and Next Steps
While PVS had already tested the system internally, the Oslo demo highlighted the importance of testing in the actual environment the system will operate in. Initial tests had focused more on functionality than performance, meaning further refinement is needed. PVS has already begun improving component reliability to enhance real‑world robustness.
The Oslo Airport Fire Brigade also gained valuable insights into thermal runaway behaviour, including realistic temperature measurements and extinguisher procedures—information that is difficult to gather in standard lab tests.
Why This Matters for European Airports
A voltage‑agnostic charging infrastructure helps airports reduce complexity and cost. The modular system reduces the number of different charging interfaces needed across airports, improving efficiency and supporting faster aircraft turnaround times. It also “future‑proofs” airport infrastructure by reducing the need for major upgrades during certification and development cycles.
More about Workpackage 2
- About WP 2; TULIPS: Energy supply of future aircraft
- Previous WP2 demo on unattended charging of an electric aircraft: Unattended charging of an electric aircraft – TULIPS