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Loughborough’s Intelligent Energy boosted by Airbus deal

12 - 10 - 2009

Aircraft manufacturer Airbus is using emission-free fuel developed by a hi-tech company.

Intelligent Energy (IE), of Loughborough, revealed yesterday its fuel cells are being tested on an Airbus A320 as a more efficient and environmentally-friendly way of providing auxiliary power to the cabin. At the moment cabin power comes from the main engines of a commercial airliner.

IE has already created hydrogen fuel cells to power a Suzuki motorcycle, a Peugeot car and a domestic heating system. The latest big-name customer is another major boost for the business.

Henri Winand, IE chief executive, said: “Not only do fuel cells reduce emissions and decrease fuel consumption, but as we move to a lower carbon economy, the airlines can diversify their fuel supply base, becoming less exposed to volatility in fuel prices.”

The fuel cell system powers the aircraft’s back-up hydraulic and electric power systems, as well as operating part of its wing flap system.

IE’s fuel cells provide a highly efficient alternative to conventional power sources, with the only by-product being pure water.

The company’s announcement follows the launch in August of a specialist centre in Hamburg aimed at testing fuel cell systems for use in commercial aircraft.

Last year, IE used a similar type of power system in the world’s first manned fuel cell aircraft, a project it worked on in partnership with Airbus rival Boeing.

The firm has also gone into partnership with Scottish and Southern Energy to provide a hydrogen powered combined heat and power system for domestic and business users in the UK and Ireland.

In July, IE said a £18m cash injection from investors would enable the fuel cells to be made more commercially viable, as well as help it come up with more uses for them.

The company, which employs 75 people at Loughborough University’s innovation centre, has raised almost £80m in funding over the past few years.

IE’s origins go back to a Government-funded Loughborough University research programme which began in 1988.

It was spun out into a business by four academics in the mid-1990s before being acquired by entrepreneur Harry Bradbury in 2001.

The firm also has research sites in California and New Mexico, in the US.

source: Leicester Mercury

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