electricity hungry

787 Dreamlinerの一連のプロブレムをめぐっては、事故調査の鉾先がバッテリーに絞られてきた感があります。
さてここのelectricity hungryにあるhungryの用法、生徒にはどう説明しますか。Minnesotaくん、今度は少し軽めです。（UG）

Japan-made battery under microscope after Boeing 787 fires

With all Boeing 787 Dreamliner jets registered in the United States and Japan now grounded by government regulators after a second fire aboard one of the aircraft on Jan. 16, attention is now turning to the Japan-made batteries at the heart of the malfunctions.

The 787, which made its commercial debut in All Nippon Airways (ANA) colors in fall 2011, is outfitted with four sets of lithium-ion batteries produced by car and motorcycle battery maker GS Yuasa Corp. The firm began making the 787 batteries in 2010, shipping completed units to French firm Thales, which adds the battery charging system.

According to GS Yuasa and related sources, the firm's lithium-ion batteries are unusual in that they include cobalt, making them lighter than lithium-ion units in electric cars -- which include manganese -- and about half the size and weight of previous nickel-cadmium batteries. The weight savings are what made the GS Yuasa units a good fit for the 787, which with its carbon fiber composite body and components was being marketed as a uniquely light and fuel efficient aircraft.

With virtually all the Dreamliner's systems right down to the brakes controlled by the plane's onboard computer system, the 787 is electricity hungry, and most of that power comes from the GS Yuasa batteries. The batteries also supply the auxiliary electrical systems for when the plane is parked with engines off, and provide overall backup power.

http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20130117p2a00m0na011000c.html