Intelligent Energy Sells Fuel Cell Technology to Airbus

Intelligent Energy, an alternative energy company based out of the UK, has said that it’s fuel cell should help Airbus, a French aircraft manufacturer, reduce their carbon emissions on jets as well as decrease fuel consumption. Airbus will be utilising Intelligent Energy’s multi-functional fuel cell system for auxiliary power aboard future jet models.

Intelligent Energy says their product will aid Airbus in reducing their greenhouse gas emissions from the air as well as on the ground while taxing and takeoff. Additionally, the energy company says that the new systems will also decrease fuel consumption saving the operators money. Financial details of the sale have not been given, nor the specifics for reductions in emissions and fuel consumption.

Intelligent Energy, headquartered in Loughborough, England has already sold their fuel cell technology to other firms. Currently the fuel cell technology is being installed into hybrid London taxis, and the alternative energy firm also has deals with Scottish and Southern Energy for utility scale power operations.

Airbus, headquartered in Toulouse, France has been looking into fuel cell technology for some time now, researching how hydrogen powered cells may provide a better source for power aboard their jets. The company has built a test aircraft, the A320, in order to further investigate the effectiveness of hydrogen and oxygen based cells.

Airbus was also involved in tests with algae as a jet fuel along with other airlines including JetBlue Airways and Aero Engines, both based in America. Boeing also uses Intelligent Energy’s fuel cell systems.