The next sector ripe for electrification: aviation.Electric airplanes could completely make over the regional airline sector -- fundamentally changing the way we move around the country and creating new economic opportunities.On this week's Energy Gang, we'll talk with Ashish Kumar, the CEO of Zunum Aero, about the company's electric propulsion system and hybrid-electric airplane model. We'll discuss design challenges, battery requirements, immediate market opportunities, and the long-term economic consequences of electrified aviation.Then, a look at the latest global figures on renewables investment. China had another explosive year in 2017, while America had an anemic one. We'll tease out the latest global numbers that broke over the last week.The Energy Gang is brought to you by CPower Energy Management. Find out more about CPower's demand-side energy management solutions.Recommended reading:Zunum Aero technology and designGTM: Zunum Aero, an Electric Airplane Startup Backed by Boeing and JetBlue Ventures, UnstealthsGTM: Global Renewable Energy Prices Will Be Competitive With Fossil Fuels by 2020GTM: China More Than Doubles America’s 2017 Investments in Clean Energy, in a ‘Runaway’ YearSubscribe to The Energy Gang podcast via Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher or wherever you find your audio content.