by Donald Wood
Last updated: 1:20 PM ET, Fri July 21, 2023
United Airlines Ventures announced an investment in Electric
Power Systems (EPS), a company producing compatible module technology that can
be applied to various batteries in aerospace applications.
The carrier could use the EPS technology for several
near-term applications and as part of its longer-term operations that support
decarbonization. The investment into electric battery technology is United’s
second overall after sodium-ion battery maker Natron.
For EPS, the company is looking to overhaul the aviation battery
ecosystem—from battery packs in planes to charging stations on the ground—with ideas
designed to keep costs low and provide rapid charges without degrading the life
of the battery.
“Typically, we've had a clear vision of how to integrate
sustainability investments into our operations,” United Airlines Ventures
President Michael Leskinen said. “What makes EPS's technology different and
exciting is the scope of operational possibilities where we have the option to
deploy it today and, in the future, to help electrify and decarbonize our
operations.”
The long-term goal is for the EPS powertrain to serve as the
core propulsion system for a family of future electric aircraft concepts.
In addition, United has more than 12,000 pieces of motorized
ground equipment and plans to use the EPS technology to charge future air taxis,
auxiliary power unit (APU) start products and cold-chain storage for cargo
containers.
United EPS module. (Photo Credit: United Airlines Media)
“United's best roadmap to reaching net zero carbon emissions
by 2050, without relying on traditional carbon offsets, is by using every tool
at our disposal – that includes the potential use of EPS's impressive portfolio
of electric aircraft powertrain solutions, including high-performance power
electronics, and energy storage systems,” Leskinen continued.
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