San Antonio Selected as Test Site for Future Aviation Technology

San Antonio, a thriving city in Texas, is slated to set the stage for innovative advancements in airport technology. It will be the first city in the United States to partner with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA-E) to explore the development of airport technology that can significantly reduce carbon emissions in the aviation industry.

ARPA-E and San Antonio: The Future of Aviation

In an effort to progress towards more sustainable and efficient practices, the city of San Antonio, leaders from CPS Energy, and the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), have inked a memorandum of understanding with ARPA-E. The agreement outlines their joint commitment to creating a research plan centered on exploring sustainable aviation and electrified airports.

ARPA-E is known for its continued support of “high-risk, high-reward transformational energy technologies”, according to Director Dr. Evelyn Wang, and its partnership with San Antonio signifies its quest for the ‘next big thing’ in energy technology.

Combining Expertise for a Common Goal

The collaboration will bring together various sectors of academia, industry, and government, leveraging their collective expertise towards these groundbreaking developments. UTSA’s President, Dr. Taylor Eighmy, expressed his enthusiasm to be involved in this “pilot project”, observing that many of the partners have already been working together on research.

Beyond the research and academic sectors, the involvement of CPS Energy, the city-owned utility, is vital. They will ensure that the necessary infrastructure is available to support these innovative ideas. CPS Energy Vice President of Customer Value, Karma Nilsson, underscored their commitment to sustainability, expressing the company’s readiness to investigate state-of-the-art environmental solutions.

Decarbonization of Aviation: The Vision

The San Antonio International Airport, in partnership with ARPA-E, will spearhead the advancement of technology aimed at decarbonizing aviation. Mayor Ron Nirenberg stated that this groundbreaking project perfectly aligns with the city’s sustainable vision, suggesting that it will contribute significantly to the city’s overall efforts towards sustainability.

Action Begins in the Alamo City

San Antonio, recognised as the birthplace of military aviation, has been aptly chosen for this transformational initiative. With its city-owned utility, and being home to UTSA – a tier one research university, the city is perceived as the ideal place to develop this pioneering technology.

According to Dr. Wang, the support and forward-thinking attitude of San Antonio make it an ideal candidate for pushing the boundaries of aviation technology. She believes the city is prepared to undertake challenges that have yet to be attempted elsewhere, echoing sentiments that “They want to do something that no one else has ever tried.”