EasyJet's energy-efficient plane concept could save millions on fuel
Low-cost airlines have mastered the art of saving money. UK-based EasyJet unveiled a new concept on Tuesday that could save millions of dollars on fuel while also recycling water for passengers.
The idea is reminiscent of "toilet-to-tap" systems, although the wastewater in this case would be from hydrogen fuel cells (not the plane's lavatory).
A hydrogen fuel cell stowed in the aircraft's hold would capture energy from the aircraft brakes during landing. That energy would then charge lightweight batteries while the plane is on the ground, and those batteries would be tapped during taxiing to avoid using the jet engines.
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EasyJet estimates that 4% of the airline's fuel consumption each year is during taxiing.
"The system would therefore reduce, if not remove altogether, the need for tugs to manoeuvre aircraft in and out of stands, delivering more efficient turnaround times and increased on time performance," easyJet said in a statement. "The only waste product is fresh clean water which could be used to refill the aircraft’s water system throughout the flight."
Down the line, if EasyJet saves the kind of money it's projecting, operations would stay cheap -- which is how passengers would keep getting cheap tickets. But first, it has to be tested and rolled out to all the aircraft.
EasyJet isn't the only company thinking about hybrid systems that will power airplanes in the future.
Boeing has conducted a series of fuel cell demonstrator flight tests in recent years, a spokesperson told Mashable. Research done in collaboration with NASA "identified hybrid electric propulsion technology as having good potential to meet future performance and environmental goals for air vehicles in the 2030 to 2050 timeline."
In contrast to easyJet's concept, Boeing would be using a hybrid system that could power shorter range flights using mostly electric power.
EasyJet officials said that testing of the system could begin later this year.
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