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The challenges and opportunities of battery-powered flight

Author

Listed:
  • Venkatasubramanian Viswanathan

    (Carnegie Mellon University)

  • Alan H. Epstein

    (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

  • Yet-Ming Chiang

    (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

  • Esther Takeuchi

    (Stony Brook University
    Brookhaven National Laboratory)

  • Marty Bradley

    (University of Southern California)

  • John Langford

    (Electra.aero)

  • Michael Winter

    (Pratt & Whitney)

Abstract

Aircraft, and the aviation ecosystem in which they operate, are shaped by complex trades among technical requirements, economics and environmental concerns, all built on a foundation of safety. This Perspective explores the requirements of battery-powered aircraft and the chemistries that hold promise to enable them. The difference between flight and terrestrial needs and chemistries are highlighted. Safe, usable specific energy rather than cost is the major constraint for aviation. We conclude that battery packs suitable for flight with specific energy approaching 600 watt hours per kilogram may be achievable in the next decade given sufficient investment targeted at aeronautical applications.

Suggested Citation

  • Venkatasubramanian Viswanathan & Alan H. Epstein & Yet-Ming Chiang & Esther Takeuchi & Marty Bradley & John Langford & Michael Winter, 2022. "The challenges and opportunities of battery-powered flight," Nature, Nature, vol. 601(7894), pages 519-525, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:601:y:2022:i:7894:d:10.1038_s41586-021-04139-1
    DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-04139-1
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    Cited by:

    1. Alexander Barke & Walter Cistjakov & Dominik Steckermeier & Christian Thies & Jan‐Linus Popien & Peter Michalowski & Sofia Pinheiro Melo & Felipe Cerdas & Christoph Herrmann & Ulrike Krewer & Arno Kwa, 2023. "Green batteries for clean skies: Sustainability assessment of lithium‐sulfur all‐solid‐state batteries for electric aircraft," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 27(3), pages 795-810, June.
    2. Nyangon, Joseph & Darekar, Ayesha, 2024. "Advancements in hydrogen energy systems: A review of levelized costs, financial incentives and technological innovations," Innovation and Green Development, Elsevier, vol. 3(3).
    3. Lin, Xiang-Wei & Li, Yu-Bai & Wu, Wei-Tao & Zhou, Zhi-Fu & Chen, Bin, 2024. "Advances on two-phase heat transfer for lithium-ion battery thermal management," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 189(PB).

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