UK-based Airport Parking and Hotels (APH) has partnered with an aircraft design student from Imperial College London to design a hybrid-electric aircraft concept that could help reduce emissions.
The company stated that the proposed aircraft concept includes several technologies, which could be integrated in a large-scale passenger jet and allows minimal emission.
The commercial airliners are currently using fossil fuels during their flights and this factor is said to be the biggest contributor in generating emissions.
Therefore, APH thought of using low-emission biofuels, in order to ensure a cleaner environment and provide faster means of air travel.
APH marketing head Beverley Barden said: "Hybrid-electric planes offer a promising way forward for cleaner flight, and it’s an area of research the sector is already investing in.
"By creating these designs we wanted to spark a conversation, within the industry and beyond, about technologies that could help the transition from fossil fuel.
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By GlobalData"These concepts might seem futuristic, but the technology is in development today."
The proposed hybrid-electric aircraft will use electric fans powered by small biofuel engines and generate only a small fraction of the emissions than today’s aircraft.
To be equipped with blended-wing body (BWB) designs, the aircraft expects to reduce drag and improve fuel consumption.
Among other technologies, the aircraft will feature small, lightweight lithium-air batteries, which consume oxygen from the surrounding air instead of an internal oxidiser.
The aircraft will also feature high-tech facilities including more cabin space for in-flight bars, separate lounge areas for passengers, transparent LCD screens that will replicate windows by displaying the outside view and others.
Image: The proposed hybrid-electric aircraft will use electric fans powered by small biofuel engines. Photo: courtesy of Airport Parking & Hotels.
