Biofuels are often touted as the next big thing in airplane fuel technology, but solar power shouldn’t be discounted — as was recently proven by the team behind the Solar Impulse. The solar-powered plane just took its first test down the runway, and eventually the plane is expected to take a 20 to 25 day trip around the world.

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Post tags: "solar energy", airplane, alternative energy, green design, renewable energy, solar impulse, Solar Power, solar powered airplane, sustainable design

We’ve seen designers recycle airplane parts to create desks, tropical eco-hotels and a hostel, and now we can add couches and beds to the lofty collection! MotoArt is a team of designers who transform airplane parts into sleek, highly polished modern pieces of furniture. Based in Los Angeles, the 6 person design crew creates an impressive line-up of upcycled furnishings, sure to please every airplane enthusiast’s flight of fancy.

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Post tags: airplane, airplane parts, eco furniture, green furniture, recycled, recycled furniture, upcycled

Flight pioneer Bertrand Piccard, an aeronaut who made the first nonstop round the world balloon flight, recently unveiled a prototype of an incredible solar-powered airplane that will one day circle the globe. Dubbed the Solar Impulse, the plane first caught our attention when it was being developed, and we’re thrilled to see a working prototype of the vehicle. Is the age of the solar powered airplane upon us?

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Post tags: airplane, bertrand piccard, Green Transportation, HB-SIA, solar impulse, solar powered plane, sustainable design

Hydrogen fuel cells are not new technology but are an intriguing alternative power source. A fuel cell is a device that can convert hydrogen into electricity and is effectively a zero-emissions fuel source in operation (though not in manufacturing). It is commonly deployed in automobiles, and has also been used as a supplementary source of energy within buildings. Last week, Boeing demonstrated a small manned Dimona motor glider using only hydrogen fuel cells, making it the first time that a manned airplane has ever flown on this technology.


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Post tags: airplane, boeing fuel cell plane boeing flies fuel cell, boeing hydrogen fuel cell, first fuel cell plane, first hydrogen plane, fuel cell, fuel cell plane, fuel cell powered plane, hydrogen, hydrogen powered plane

We’ve recently featured the 787 Dreamliner airplane from Boeing, and the Ecojet prototype from Easyjet as examples of environmentally-friendlier air travel innovations. And now comes news from the beautiful land of New Zealand that its biggest airline, appropriately known as Air New Zealand, in conjunction with Aquaflow Bionomic Corporation and Boeing, is testing the waters for a new fuel made from the algae found in pond scums, which could have the capacity to reduce the entire carbon footprint of the airline industry to zero.

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Post tags: air new zealand, airplane, biofuel, eco airplane, ecojet, jet, pond scum

Last week we brought you news of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, a state-of-the art aircraft designed to reduce the greenhouse emissions and provide more sustainable air travel. But there’s another green plane as well: Easyjet, the low cost short haul European airline, is coming out with it’s own fuel efficient airplane: The Ecojet.


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Post tags: air travel, airplane, easyjet, easyjet ecojet, ecojet, efficiency, fuel, jet, reduced emissions, short-haul flights, Sustainable