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Siemens and Airbus To Push Electric Aviation Engines (networkworld.com)
coondoggie quotes a report from Networkworld: Siemens and Airbus teamed up today to develop electric and hybrid electric/combustion engines for commercial and private aircraft. The companies said they would amass a joint development team of about 200 employees that would jointly develop prototypes for various propulsion systems with power classes ranging from a few 100 kilowatts up to 10 and more megawatts, for short, local trips with aircraft below 100 seats, helicopters or unmanned aircraft up to classic short and medium-range flights. Hybrid-electric propulsion systems can significantly reduce fuel consumption of aircraft and reduce noise. European emissions targets aim for a 75% reduction of CO2 emissions by 2050. These ambitious goals cannot be achieved by conventional technologies, the companies stated. Airbus has developed a 2-seat electrically powered aircraft, known as the E-Fan. Siemens too has been developing an electric aircraft engine.
Siemens and Airbus just formed a partnership to develop a 4000 mile long power cord.
Not currently (sorry). Maybe that's why they're targeting short haul flights - it's limited by the length of the cable.
Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
Don't liquefy it then. Do I have to do all the thinking round here?
Good idea. Let's put all the fuel in a big cigar shaped tank that you carry on top of the plane. By virtue of being so light, it also helps to create extra lift.
I'm amazed that in all humanity, nobody's tried it.
"Oh, all the humanity!"
John