Ampaire flew its hybrid electric EEL aircraft to a signing event at the Technology Expo hosted in San Antonio between the US Department of Energy Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E), the City of San Antonio Aviation Department and its City Public Service Board and the University of Texas at San Antonio to develop and promote technologies that include, but are not limited to, sustainable aviation, batteries and battery storage solutions, enhanced electric vehicle charging and power demand management. The MOU will enable collaboration to identify research, development, demonstration and deployment opportunities.

"This is a unique partnership designed to promote transformative energy technologies, and it propels the City of San Antonio's Aviation Department to the centre of innovation," says director of airports Jesus Saenz. "This is an exciting time to be part of the aviation team and planning for the future of aviation and our airports."

Ampaire is an ARPA-E funded project, and other project teams were also present to showcase their technologies and share how their innovations could be integrated into future electrified airports:

- Imagen Energy showcased ultrafast, compact electric vehicle chargers delivering efficient and cost-effective power solutions;

- Natron Energy featured sodium-ion batteries that can safely store energy and efficiently deliver power on demand;

- AutoGrid discussed a distributed energy resource management system that can help grid operators manage energy supply and demand fluctuations;

- Quidnet Energy brought a wellhead to illustrate a modular geomechanical pumped storage system that can utilise existing natural resources to store renewable energy over long durations; and

- Texas A&M University Research Team presented 3D-printed models of a motor and shared concepts for advancing efficiency in electric transportation.

The University of Texas and CPS Energy also presented research to evaluate operational efficacy, ensure seamless interoperability, fortify cybersecurity protocols and assess performance metrics of electric/hybrid aircraft.