then shutting it down to run electrically when the thermal efficiency of the engine would be low . For aircraft , it ’ s not a question of if , but when .”
Indeed , when Energy Digital spoke with Honeywell ’ s Mike Stewart , Aerospace VP for Advanced Tech , he confirmed Cousin ’ s vision : “ Hybrid propulsion is already being supported by Honeywell with its 1MW generator . In fact , three 1MW generators are being used on Aurora ’ s LightningStrike demonstrator to exhibit the capabilities of hybrid-electric propulsion for vertical take-off and landing .
“ The most recent solar power plant to go online in the UAE is generating electricity at three cents per kwh , which is half of what you can achieve today by burning natural gas and a quarter of what we see from suppliers of nuclear power ,” says Cousin . “ If that trend of lower costs continues , you can see this form of transport becoming even cheaper . The big advantage is that it ’ s very light on infrastructure . That might not make a difference in the UK ,
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