nouACETC: Powering Possibility Through the Test Cell of the Future

The Department of Air Force (DAF) is part of a wider DoD initiative to deploy clean energy and decrease greenhouse gas emissions. Meeting this goal requires innovative solutions that promote cleaner more efficient resource use (or reuse) without compromising operational capability. nou Systems Inc. (nSI)—energy conversion innovators in Huntsville Alabama, have formed a formidable alliance uniting technology innovators, industry leaders, educators, and subject matter experts in the development of DAF PXMG’s ACETC (Agile Common Engine Test Cell). The proposed ACETC advancements leverage our team's industrial and military technology expertise to push the boundaries of what is currently possible in jet engine test cell (JETC) noise reduction and energy capture (NR&EC). Our proposed staged, ultra-efficient system comprises multifunctional components that  convert the kinetic and thermal energy of the jet engine exhaust stream into electricity that can be fed back to the grid. In doing so we accomplish both NR&EC program objectives.  Phase I will focus on analysis, trade studies, approach downselection and refinement, and subscale demonstrations. Phase I culminates with a comprehensive justification for our selection and present promising design alternatives. Phase II will involve detailed design and demonstration tests to validate end-to-end technology capabilities. Phase III will focus on technology qualification tests. Although the intention is to prime these technologies for PXMG’s 2029 ACETC facility, based on the TRL/MRL, scalability, modularity, and design flexibility of our initially proposed system architecture, the technology could be qualified for integration much sooner than that.