The airline easyJet has unveiled plans to implement a hydrogen (H2) fuel system for its aircraft which could save around 50,000 tonnes of fuel each year.
The hybrid plane concept, set to trial this year, utilises a H2 fuel cell which is stowed in the aircraft’s hold. The zero-emissions system allows energy to be captured as the aircraft brakes on landing and is used to charge the system’s lightweight batteries when the aircraft is on the ground.
The energy generated can then be used by the aircraft when taxiing without needing to use its jet engines. 4% of the airline’s total fuel consumed annually is used when taxiing. easyJet’s aircraft average 20 minutes of taxi time per flight, equating to roughly four million miles each year.
The plane would then use the only waste product of H2 fuel cell production – water – to refill the aircraft’s water system throughout the flight.
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