BEIJING, March 13 (Xinhuanet) -- The US Federal Aviation Administration has given the go-ahead for Boeing to take two limited flights to test a redesigned battery system on its 787 Dreamliner.

The move puts Boeing one step closer to returning the troubled 787 to the air, after two incidents involving burning batteries led the fleet being grounded in mid-January by transport authorities worldwide. Boeing’s new battery is designed to minimize the chances of a short circuit, insulates the battery cells better, and adds a new containment and venting system to prevent damage even if it catches fire.

Boeing must also conduct extensive testing and analysis, in order to comply with safety regulations and special conditions. But it’s unclear when the series will return to service again. The 787 is the first airliner to use lithium batteries, which can recharge faster and store more energy than other types of batteries of an equivalent size.

(Source: CNTV.cn)