Economic and environmental viability assessment of NASA's turboelectric distribution propulsion. (November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Alrashed, Mosab; Nikolaidis, Theoklis; Pilidis, Pericles; Alrashed, Wael; Jafari, Soheil
• Is Part Of: Energy reports. Volume 6(2020)
• Page Start: 1685
• Page End: 1695
• Publication Date: 2020-11
• Subjects: O16 -- O31 -- O32 -- O33 -- R41 -- Q05; Economic value-added -- Turboelectric distributed propulsion -- NASA N3-X -- Economic -- Environment assessment; Power resources -- Periodicals; Energy industries -- Periodicals; Power resources; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 621.04205
• DOI: 10.1016/j.egyr.2020.06.019
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-4847

Abstract

Abstract: The concept of turboelectric-distributed propulsion (TeDP) has become integral to engineering because of its ability to generate electricity. However, social science compels careful evaluations of TeDP's environmental and economic impacts—out of caution, such elements must be taken up before TeDP is put into practice. Responding to this call, this research investigates TeDP's economic and environmental viability with a case study of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) proposal for a TeDP aircraft, N3-X, using technical aspects and real data integration. The economic assessment measures NASA's N3-X economic added value for aviation manufacturing, operations, and investors as well as net present value, internal rate of return, and payback period. Meanwhile, the environmental assessment looks at carbon monoxide and dioxide and oxides of nitrogen. The economic and environmental evaluation results establish the viability of TeDP. Highlights: Presents an economic and environmental assessment of turboelectric use in aviation. Explores the trade-off between an aircraft's economic and environmental needs. Applies model to a case study of NASA's N3-X aircraft. Finds the N3-X, and with it, turboelectric propulsion, green and cost-friendly.