We connect with subject matter experts for a technical look at what will be needed to manage charging demands for new electric aircraft.
While there are many unknowns related to the advanced air mobility (AAM) sector to come, we do know that charging these aircraft are going to need a lot of electricity — even at the start of vertiport operation within the next two or three years.
Indeed, it’s expected that as the industry moves forward after introduction, electricity will be a major limiting factor in AAM scale-up in the U.S. and globally.
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) recently analyzed this issue for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and released results of its study in March. The team surveyed aircraft manufacturers, spoke to stakeholders at planned vertiport sites, analyzed probable air service routes, and — using several publicly-available NREL tools — evaluated charging demand, costs, emissions, hazards, regulations and technical requirements for electrified vertiport infrastructure.
It’s no surprise they found that potential eVTOL charging demand could “considerably” impact grid infrastructure and operation. But there are solutions in their report as well.
While there are many unknowns related to the advanced air mobility (AAM) sector to come, we do know that charging these aircraft are going to need a lot of electricity — even at the start of vertiport operation within the next two or three years.
Indeed, it’s expected that as the industry moves forward after introduction, electricity will be a major limiting factor in AAM scale-up in the U.S. and globally.
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) recently analyzed this issue for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and released results of its study in March. The team surveyed aircraft manufacturers, spoke to stakeholders at planned vertiport sites, analyzed probable air service routes, and — using several publicly-available NREL tools — evaluated charging demand, costs, emissions, hazards, regulations and technical requirements for electrified vertiport infrastructure.
It’s no surprise they found that potential eVTOL charging demand could “considerably” impact grid infrastructure and operation. But there are solutions in their report as well.
