Almost all “green” initiatives cause fires - Chevy Volt, Tesla, wind-generation machines, and now the Dreamliner. With all the smoke being blown up our - uh - noses, this is starting to smell.
Some aeronautical expert may need to fill in on this...
But I think the goal of Boeing, Airbus, etc...is to provide an aircraft with reduced operating costs....Airline industry will not purchase a “green” aircraft if the competitor’s operating costs are much lower.
I thought that by going electric/battery powered...this signficantly reduced fuel consumption which is one of the largest operating costs of a large aircraft...Some of the jet engine capacity was used to power the systems, hydraulics, which in turn reduced capacity/efficiency of the engine.
As much as I would like to pin this on Obama...the 787 was designed and being configured way before he came into office.
Boeing will figure this out...You can look at any recent aircraft intruduction/testing and notice that many of them were grounded for many other reasons...It usually takes two-three years of service before they shake everything out. In the long term, the battery issue will eventually be resolved.
Airbus 380 had cracks on the wings/tail...
Embraer had significant software and plumbing issues in the E170-180-190 jets that tooks several months to work out.
If I had any major complaint about the new 787 is that Boeing outsorced their production to various, independent companies overseas....This should have remained in-house...