Sustainability In The Air What does it take to produce an aircraft-worthy battery?
In this episode we talk to Nathan Millecam, President & CEO of Electric Power Systems (EP Systems) about designing the perfect battery to power electric aircraft.
Millecam’s company is a pioneer in aircraft battery technology. His journey began with a role at Honeywell Aerospace, where he worked on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner’s power system. This introduced him to the potential of lithium-ion batteries in aviation. He then started EP Systems in 2016 to explore the potential application of lithium-ion batteries in aircraft, given their improving power density and followed this up with learnings from collaborating with NASA on their X-57 experimental electric aircraft project.
We’ll also learn about the company’s partnerships with Ampaire and REGENT and the intricacies and practicalities of designing and customising batteries for hybrid-electric and all-electric planes. Millecam points out the significant savings associated with running battery-powered aircraft as compared to sticking with traditional jet combustion engines.
While discussing JetBlue Ventures’ investment in the company, he also stresses the importance of economic viability in sustainable aviation. He elaborates on battery technology advancements, emphasising quick recharging, and real-world applications and reveals when the public can expect to actually experience all-electric planes.
Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.
Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.
Links & More:
EPiC propulsion battery - EP Systems
Performance analysis of regional electric aircraft - ICCT
Electric airplane industry & trends - Toptal
EP Systems enters strategic partnership with REGENT - Avionics International
South America’s ‘lithium fields’ reveal the dark side of our electric future - Euronews
Amy Burr on how JetBlue Ventures is investing in the future of sustainable aviation - SimpliFlying