Wednesday, December 11, 2024
Electric VehiclesLatestNews

Ampaire working with Black & Veatch to expand electrified aviation infrastructure

Electric aircraft developer Ampaire will work with engineering company Black & Veatch to develop airport electrification that supports tomorrow’s electric aviation needs.

Against the backdrop of a reimagined aviation sector – and the evolution of air mobility in a world increasingly looking to decarbonise – Black & Veatch and Ampaire will work to identify and evaluate opportunities to plan, engineer and construct infrastructure for electric air mobility at airports, working with early adopters in the Americas, Europe and Asia.

According to the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the two companies, the global collaboration will focus on creating reliable, clean-energy-powered charging and sustainable aviation fueling supply – at a growing number of airports – leveraging solar, energy storage and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) supply chain development. The initiative seeks to include a broad range of air and ground side stakeholders who will benefit from shared infrastructure and Black & Veatch’s deep knowledge of power and communications infrastructure applied to this innovative industry sector. 

Susan Ying, senior vice president of global partnerships for Ampaire, said: “Ampaire is committed to putting zero-emissions aircraft into widespread service by mid-decade. These hybrid-electric aircraft will benefit from the buildout of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and electric charging infrastructure, making zero emission possible for meaningful service range. That’s why we consider this teaming arrangement so important. Aircraft companies must be involved in defining airport fuelling and charging infrastructure. We are therefore very pleased to work with Black & Veatch on this common objective.”

Paul Stith, Black & Veatch’s associate vice president of global transportation initiatives, added: “Governments, companies and communities around the world are making lowering their carbon footprints a priority, and the transportation sector is helping accelerate positive change. Decarbonisation of aviation is challenging and requires technology and collaboration. Tackling emissions with concurrent SAF and electrification strategies offers a shining example of what’s possible in doing things cleaner and greener, and we’re excited about working with Ampaire to reshape tomorrow’s air mobility through infrastructure and innovation.” 

Ampaire has been at the forefront of modern air mobility, having flown 481 miles nonstop from Perth, Scotland, to Exeter in southwest England in August 2021 with its “Electric EEL” aircraft – a six-seat Cessna, modified with hybrid-electric propulsion. It is to date the longest flight by a commercial-sized, hybrid-electric aircraft.

Image: Shutterstock.

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