An overview of the possibilities, current status, and limitations of battery technologies to electrify aviation

Abstract

One of the main concerns of the aviation industry is the reduction of dependence on fossil fuels, the reduction of emissions, and, ultimately, the development of a more sustainable air transport system. Emerging technologies, new operational concepts, and research will be essential to achieve this. Batteries are one of the emerging technologies that will play a key role in the electrification of aviation in the coming years. To ensure the scalability of this technology, an analysis of its possibilities, current status, and limitations is essential. The aim of this study is to carry out such an analysis, answering five key questions related to this technology: i) what is a battery?, ii) what are the key parameters of batteries?, iii) what are the possibilities of battery technology to electrify aviation?, iv) what are the main challenges to overcome?, and finally, v) how can batteries be classified? The answers to these questions will make it possible to present the state of the art of this technology, and to identify the main challenges to be addressed in its future development.