Hybrid tech comes to planes (for taxiing, anyway)
Some clever chaps in the US have come up with a system that could eliminate the need for using jet engines on planes to trundle around between the airport and landing strip.
Borrowing on a similar approach to hybrid cars, the system works by capturing energy from the wheels as the plane is landing, which can then be reused to power an engine to move the plane around–cutting fuel use and emissions.
The technology was developed by Delos Aerospace. It’s projected to provide fuel savings of 2.4 to 3.4 million dollars a year per aircraft. Long term the savings are projected to be 3 to 4 times that. The environmental benefits of the technology for airport neighborhoods will be substantial due to the significant reduction in greenhouse gases.
