China Daily Global Edition (USA)
Aviation ponders electric aircraft
OSLO — Will we someday be able to fly without the guilt of causing environmental damage? A handful of firms and regulators hope that the electric revolution in cars will also take to the skies, helping the industry cope with an expected boom in travel and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
“Many people say that we must get rid of air transport because we will never be able to deal with emissions and noise, but this is an outdated approach,” said Norwegian Transport Minister Ketil Solvik-Olsen.
Norway, the largest oil and gas producer in western Europe, is paradoxically a pioneer in the field of electric transport. The Nordic nation aims for all new vehicle registrations to be zero emission by 2025 and launched a first electric ferry in early 2015.
“In my mind, there is no doubt: by 2040 Norway will be operating totally electric,” said Dag Falk-Petersen, head of the country’s public airport operator, Avinor.
Air transportation’s impact on global warming is estimated at around 5 percent through CO2 emissions and other substances, including nitrogen oxide and water vapor.
As the number of air passengers is expected to almost double by 2036 to 7.8 billion per year, according to the International Air Transport Association’s projections, aviation’s impact is on a course to increase substantially if nothing is done.
‘Unrealistic’ goals
Meanwhile, the airline industry aims to cut its CO2 emissions in half by 2050 from 2005 levels.
While the international umbrella group Climate Action Network says these goals are unrealistic, some airlines are beginning to look at electric-powered aircraft as an answer.
The small regional carrier Wideroe Airlines, operating in Norway’s far north, plans to renew its fleet of twin-engine Bombardier Dash 8 planes with electricpowered aircraft by 2030.
“Aircraft producers see that they have to do it because otherwise there will be a new Tesla taking their positions,” said FalkPetersen, referring to how the upstart US electric car manufacturer has shaken up the traditional automobile industry.
Both of the major manufacturers of large passenger aircraft, Airbus and Boeing, are exploring the viability of electric planes.
“One of the biggest challenges is electricity storage,” said Glenn Llewellyn, general manager for electrification at Airbus.
As with cars, the performance of batteries is a critical element, with the added problem that they are heavier than fuel and carrying them into the air is the most-energy intensive part of the flight.
“But at the same time battery technology is probably the technology in the world which has the most investment. So it will evolve,” added Llewellyn.