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Former Community Member
Former Community Member
1 minute read time.
NASA has been dominating the news lately with their recent developments in electric aircraft technology. From the battery powered plane with 10 engines ‘Greased lightning (GL-10) to their LEAPTech project, we are seeing a lot of innovation that could bring us closer to the first commercial electric aircraft. The developments being made in green technology by NASA are expected to help further the commercial aerospace industry and make a $250 billion saving.


NASA’s Environmentally Responsible Aviation (ERA) project makes various claims as to how they will make such progression, including:
  • Maturing technology in the next 5-10 years to reduce noise, fuel burn and emissions

  • Determining the potential impact of electric/hybrid aircraft if introduced into the air transportation system

  • Assuming that their technologies would be implemented into products that would be flying within the U.S.


The conclusive message of the ERA is particularly important since it has been estimated that aircrafts contribute 2% of global greenhouse emissions. These emissions are expected to grow 3-4% each year. According to the European Commission, greenhouse emissions in 2020 will be 70% higher than they were in 2005.


How long will it take before NASA’s green technology will be commercialised?  Already having a lot of industry interest and investment, NASA is confident that their technology will find its way into commercial or military aircraft within the next 10 years.  Is all-electric aircraft technology the future for commercial airlines? If so then the responsibility lies with industry to manufacture and apply this technology in the quest for electric aircraft.


Who do you think will be the first to create a commercialised electric aircraft? 
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Sources:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2016/01/07/these-nasa-innovations-could-cut-carbon-emissions-and-save-airlines-billions/
http://www.aeronautics.nasa.gov/iasp/era/index.htm


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  • It would appear in the near-term it is the light aviation market where electric primary power will appear first, as already starting to be demonstrated in Europe - small aeroplanes only required to move at low speeds. The total power requirement to move a commercial multi-passenger carrying aircraft at typical commercial airline speeds would appear troublesome presently, but perhaps fuel cell technology or something similar will provide solutions longer-term.
Comment
  • It would appear in the near-term it is the light aviation market where electric primary power will appear first, as already starting to be demonstrated in Europe - small aeroplanes only required to move at low speeds. The total power requirement to move a commercial multi-passenger carrying aircraft at typical commercial airline speeds would appear troublesome presently, but perhaps fuel cell technology or something similar will provide solutions longer-term.
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