1. PLANE WITHOUT MOVING PARTS

• This newly developed technology is referred to as a ‘solid-state’ plane. The plane has "no moving parts and uses a powerful electric field to create charged nitrogen ions which are then expelled from the aircraft." This technology is being developed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 
• Planes without moving parts is a breakthrough in electrical aviation. It is a new development never previously thought possible by propelling an aircraft using accelerated ionized gas
• Aeronautical engineers globally are trying hard to find ways to use electric propulsion. Therefore, this technology is offering something else that, at some point in the future, both manned and unmanned aircraft will be more efficient, and not contribute to pollution.
• The plane allows industry experts to gain knowledge of engineering expertise in its design. This is due to its thin size and light weight, adding to the propulsion method itself.
• Another feature that allows for more excitement in aviation circles is its silent flight feature, which may be rather beneficial. Along with the electric feature, "there is also an option for high-altitude solar-powered flight by which, the lack of moving parts would allow the plane to fly for years on end, acting as a pseudo-satellite."

Future Impact

• Planes without moving parts could impact the future by creating safer planes as a regular airplane requires fast-turning turbines to foster enough thrust and power to lift the plane and stay in the air. This new technology would not require this as it powers itself without any engines.
• These types of planes would be quieter within the airspace they travel as well as the environment as they do not utilize traditional engines to power them.
• Another potential impact is that it would be easier to take care of the planes hence, using fewer resources than required by a regular airplane.
• The technology used by the electrical feature would mean no gas emissions will be available to harm the environment.
• The propulsion systems utilized would facilitate fuel efficiency.

2. ZEROVIA ELECTRIC POWER TRAIN

• This is a hydrogen fuel cell (electric) powertrain for aviation. It stands as a small aircraft that uses hydrogen for power rather than conventional fuel and will be used to carry small flight with a 500-mile radius.
• The Zerovia electric powertrain is developed by ZeroAvia and is also known as an airtrain or drivetrain.
• This newly designed aviation vehicle "focuses on delivering the same performance as a conventional aircraft engine, but at a much lower operating cost."
• The powertrain will be available to both commercial operators and aircraft manufacturers.
• At the current time, it is "the largest zero-emission aircraft that flies without any fossil fuel support."
• Based on its flight tests, it is able to provide maximum power delivery targets on its 500-mile flights. This will serve short-haul and commuter air travel markets. These flights currently make up almost half the commercial flights worldwide.
• The hydrogen-powered train is so far the most promising and cost-competitive alternative to the incumbent fossil-based technologies existing today. ZeroAvia is now a leading source with its mission to decarbonize the aviation sector.

Future Impact

• The hydrogen-based technology diminishes any need for fossil fuel support. It allows for economical use of smaller local airports for travel with practically no security lines or delays, and an overall more pleasant flying experience.
• The powertrain is created with multipurpose employment and could be operated in the areas of cargo, air taxi, and agriculture.
• This will contribute to productivity where ZeroAvia will lease the powertrain to customers and provide fuel and maintenance, and customers will pay only for the hours that they use the powertrain.
• The cost of operating the powertrain will be low since the total cost of operation will be about half that of flying conventional planes.
• The use of hydrogen-electric technology will also be cheaper to use than battery-electric planes. This is because high-density batteries have to be replaced often.
• There are no physical restrictions on the hydrogen powertrain that would disallow it to be used in a large aircraft for long distances. However, additional certifications are needed. 
• The powertrain technology is rather adaptable and will eventually be utilized for various types of aircraft, including light singles, helicopters, and unmanned air vehicles.

RESEARCH STRATEGY

1) STATE-LED ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING POLICY CHANGES

WHAT IT IS

• Several states in the US are coming up with EV charging policy changes to give incentives to those using EVs and private investors in the area. This is part of state-led renewable energy initiatives and an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

• For example, in New York, the governor announced in February 2019 that the state was providing $31.6 million to its partners to build 1,075 fast-charging EV stations and recover the costs over seven years from ratepayers.

• In November 2018, the New York Power Authority earmarked 32 new public charging points on major traffic routes and partnered with the New York State Thruway to put fast chargers at 15 service areas along the proposed area.

• In January 2019, the Maryland Public Service Commission authorized its partners to install a network of more than 5,000 EV charging stations, including 900 utility-owned public charging stations.

• In 2018, California authorized San Diego Gas & Electric, Pacific Gas and Electric, and Southern California Edison, to recover $738 million for EV charging infrastructure.

• According to Forbes, EV policies helped the United States sell over one million EVs.

HOW IT IS MOVING THE INDUSTRY FORWARD

• The policy changes are encouraging people in the US to purchase EVs by making it easier for those who own EVs to be able to easily charge them.

COMPANY BEHIND THE DEVELOPMENT

• States such as New York, California, and Maryland, are behind the electric transportation policy changes that give incentives to those using EVs and private investors in their states.

POTENTIAL FUTURE IMPACT OF THE DEVELOPMENT

• The building of 1,075 fast-charging EV stations is to help New York achieve its goal of having 800,000 zero-emission vehicles on US roads by 2025.

2) INCREASE IN EV BATTERY RANGE FOR ALL MODELS

WHAT IT IS

• There has been a recent steady range increase with existing battery technologies. EV manufacturers have updated their battery pack which has led to battery range increases.

• According to Forbes, 2019 is the first year the average range of battery range for all models is greater than 200 miles.
• From 2011 to 2019, EV car makers are projected to have increased EVs models battery range an average of 38 miles per upgrade, a total of 15% average increase per year.

HOW IT IS MOVING THE INDUSTRY FORWARD

•  Increase in EV battery range means that better and more EV options are available for customers.

• More vehicle models for heavy and medium duty use means that 2019 will provide a big opportunity for transit agencies to electrify their fleets.

COMPANY BEHIND THE DEVELOPMENT

•  Kia Soul EV’s battery range increase in 2019 was 186, up from a 2018 increase of 111. Nissan LEAF EV’s battery range increase in 2019 was 225, up from a 2018 increase of 151. BMW i3 EV’s battery range increase in 2019 was 153, up from a 2018 increase of 115.

POTENTIAL FUTURE IMPACT OF THE DEVELOPMENT

• Better EV battery range and more options will increase the number of people in the US who buy EVs. According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, in 2017, 46% of people in the US thought that EVs were better or as good as regular gas vehicles.

RESEARCH STRATEGY

USE OF WIND TECHNOLOGY

• Over 90 cities and towns in the United States have committed to sourcing electricity from sources that are 100% renewable, including wind technology.
• Utility experts estimate that the quantity of electricity generated from wind technology across the United States will grow by 42.5 megawatt-hours between 2018 and 2022.
• The single most significant driver of the United States clean energy transition in 2019 towards wind technology is its "increasing competitiveness."
• In October 2018, the Northern Indiana Public Service Co. (NIPSCO) revealed an analysis showing that it stands to save ratepayers about $4 billion within 30 years. This would be possible by retiring two coal generators and substituting them with wind and solar energy.
• According to experts, advances in wind and other renewable technologies such as storage technology would continue to play a vital role in shortening the time needed to achieve safe carbon emission levels.

USE OF SOLAR TECHNOLOGY

• Over 90 cities and towns in the United States have committed to sourcing electricity from sources that are 100% renewable, including solar technology.
• Utility experts project that the quantity of electricity generated from solar technology across the United States will grow by 23.6 megawatt-hours between 2018 and 2022.
• Like wind technology, the single most significant driver of the United States clean energy transition in 2019 towards solar technology is also its "increasing competitiveness."
• Utility companies across the United States are battling to prevent load loss as people continue to install solar power generating devices on their rooftop. Initially, such utility companies tried to slow the renewable energy trend by offering fees and rate that were designed to discourage the adoption of such resources.
• Renewable Resource Group plans to embark on a $600-million solar power complex powered by a 500-MW solar photo voltaic facility. The project uses a field of "solar arrays" and has up to three electric substations. The project spans 3,660-acre in Blythe and is scheduled to kick off in September.
• Experts reveal that advances in solar and renewable technologies, including storage, would play a vital role in shortening the time needed to achieve safe carbon emission levels.

USE OF ENERGY STORAGE

• Nearly all states in America recently took some regulatory or legislative actions focused on broad "grid modernization or utility business model reform" in the year 2018. About 42 states are acting on advanced metering infrastructure, deployment of storage facilities, data access as well as revenue reforms.
• As utilities plan to cut down on carbon emission, experts say a current boom in power generation using natural gas is a "bridge" to a future with lower harmful emission. However, continued advancements in storage (battery) technology, might shorten the time needed to achieve safe carbon emission levels.
• One of the utility companies in America, leading the electricity storage trend for lower emissions and a safer world is Pacific Gas & Electric.
• In November 2018, California regulators awarded four battery projects for utility Pacific Gas & Electric. The projects cover the replacement of three gas plants that once sought ratepayer financial support. The battery projects include two of the "world's largest planned projects," and represent the first time battery storage would replace several major utility power plants.
• Apart from California, which is known to have ambitious environmental as well as battery storage targets, large-scale storage facilities are spreading to other states. This spread is due to a decline in the prices of batteries.
• Last summer, the generator company, Vistra, announced its plans to build a 42 MWh storage facility in conjunction with a solar farm around Texas. The facility would be Texas's most massive battery installation.
• Data ascribed to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory reveals that by 2050, electric vehicles would likely increase the United States power demand by a factor of 38%. This increase will provide an essential source of "power demand growth for utilities" and also present an opportunity to utilize vehicles' batteries in meeting grid needs.

DECLINE IN NON-RENEWABLE ENERGY PRODUCTION

• Cheaper natural gas-based energy supplies and renewable sources are challenging the use of coal-powered non-renewable electricity sources across the United States.
• Several coal-based electricity generating companies that pushed for a bailout from the United States government "are running out of time" to keep their plants operational.
• Utility experts estimate that total megawatt-hour generated from coal across the United States will suffer set-back and grow by 0% (zero growth) between 2018 and 2022.
• According to CNN, simple laws of economics are threatening to doom all of America's coal power plants.
• Wind and solar energy costs have declined so rapidly that about 74% of United States coal fleet might get phased out. Their replacement with renewable energy would save energy customers some money on future payments.
• That estimated figure of coal plants at-risk across the United States by 2025 would be 86% as the cost of solar and wind energy continues to plunge.
• One of the companies hit by a decline in demand for coal-based electricity is FirstEnergy Solutions Corp. The power generating company has shut down about half of its power capacity as it struggles with bankruptcy.
• FirstEnergy Solutions Corp recently deactivated unit-1 and unit-2 of its power sections at Bruce Mansfield coal plant located in Beaver County, Pennsylvania.
• The sole climate rule was enacted to "reduce coal plant pollution." Through the sole climate rule, the already embattled coal power plants were pushed to shift away from coal towards the use of natural gas as well as renewable power.
• President Trump's recent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) aims to replace the "Obama-era climate change rule" with another regulation. Experts warn that the EPA might help some of America's dirtiest and oldest coal plants to continue running. Experts believe that replacing clean energy rules would threaten the future of our environment and life as it tends to increase harmful emissions.