Dutch Consortium Accelerates Electric Aviation with Innovative Battery Technology Supported RVO Grant
To truly get electric aviation off the ground and contribute to climate targets, innovation in battery technology is crucial. At the same time, Europe faces the challenge of reducing its dependence on vulnerable global supply chains. With this ambition in mind, SiLENT FLIGHT has been established: a Dutch consortium working on Lithium-ion battery systems with significantly higher energy density for electric aircraft.
Within this consortium, Inholland University of Applied Sciences in Delft and EagleBAT are joining forces. EagleBAT’s in-depth battery and materials expertise is combined with Inholland’s knowledge of systems, integration, and certification within its Aeronautical Engineering programme. This unique collaboration enables applied research to be directly linked to flying technology demonstrators at Inholland, accelerating innovations towards practical application and certification.
The project focuses on developing a certifiable, modular Li-ion battery system that enables longer flight ranges and sustained peak power. A key priority is the use of silicon anodes, which offer higher energy densities but also introduce new requirements for battery system management. The complexity of internal battery processes, as well as safety and circularity, are guiding principles throughout.
The grant awarded by the Ministry of Economic Affairs through the Circular Batteries Subsidy Scheme (SCB) of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) provides essential support for this project and makes it possible to significantly accelerate development. With a total project size of approximately €2 million, of which €1.5 million is funded through the RVO grant, the consortium can carry out a three-year research and development programme. This scale enables simultaneous development and testing of fundamental battery innovations, system integration, and validation within a realistic aviation context.
Project leader Arnold Koetje of Inholland: “This project comes at the right time for our ongoing research into safe aviation battery systems. With two electric test aircraft in our fleet, we see opportunities to take an important step towards a certifiable modular battery system together with EagleBAT and aviation authorities.”
EagleBAT also sees great value in the collaboration:
EagleBAT founder Walter Legerstee: “Thanks to this RVO grant, we can significantly accelerate our collaboration with Inholland. Working with Inholland’s students and researchers offers us a unique opportunity to integrate our battery systems into a test aircraft and validate them in practice.”
The impact of the project goes beyond technology alone: aviation companies will gain faster access to new solutions, while Inholland actively involves students in developing specialist knowledge that directly meets the future needs of the sector.
More information
For more details about the project, the consortium, or collaboration opportunities, please contact:
Arnold Koetje – Project Leader SiLENT FLIGHT – Inholland University of Applied Sciences Delft
- Email: arnold.koetje@inholland.nl
- Website: projectdragonfly.nl
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com
About EagleBAT
EagleBAT specialises in advanced Lithium-ion battery systems for aviation applications, focusing on high energy density, safety, and circular solutions. Within this project, EagleBAT contributes unique expertise and intellectual property, which will be applied and further developed in collaboration with Inholland. By integrating battery systems into Inholland’s test aircraft, the consortium can validate new technologies directly in a realistic aviation context.
About Inholland University of Applied Sciences – Aeronautical Engineering
The Aeronautical Engineering programme at Inholland offers a bachelor’s degree in Delft and has expertise in sustainable aviation and electric flight. Since 2019, the programme has conducted practice-oriented research into electric aircraft within the Inholland Electric Flight Lab. Through the development of flying technology demonstrators, such as the Electric Dragonfly, and collaboration with aviation authorities and industry, Inholland works on applying new technologies within existing aviation regulations. In doing so, the programme contributes to the Dutch ecosystem for sustainable aviation and to developing the talent that will make this transition possible.
The Circular Batteries Subsidy Scheme (SCB) is part of the National Growth Fund programme Material Independence & Circular Batteries.
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