JBT declared that its JBT AeroTech business has collaborated with EnerFuel and InnovaTek to develop a fuel cell range extender for an airport ground support device using battery as its power source.
The Department Of Energy is funding the multi-phase project via its Small Business Innovation Research Program.
EnerFuel is a fuel cell developer, while InnovaTek is a pioneer in fuel processing technology. During Phase I, JBT AeroTech in partnership with EnerFuel and InnovaTek will find the feasibility of the technology to decrease the fuel costs and emissions of airport ground support device.
The overall objective of the project is to design a fuel cell power system, which can produce electricity from bio-jet fuel for the on-board recharging of battery in electric vehicles. If the Phase I is successfully completed, the project will get subsequent grants for the development, demonstration and commercialization of the product.
John Lee, who serves as JBT AeroTech’s Vice President and Division Manager, commented that the company is happy to collaborate with EnerFuel and InnovaTek for this advanced project that can produce green energy for various aircraft ground support devices.