Biofuels & novel fuels News
Below are links to stories about aviation biofuels.
Halophyte plants “could create renewable fuel”
Boeing has announced that it will begin studying the use of saltwater-based plants for renewable jet fuel in a joint effort with UOP, a division of Honeywell. Abu Dhabi is viewed as a viable location for conducting a lifecycle-analysis study. The Masdar Institute is looking at these species in a formal research framework, to see if certain types of halophytes meet the carbon reduction and socioeconomic criteria. (The Engineer)
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Airbus Applauds Synthetic Fuels Breakthrough
Airbus says it welcomes the latest steps toward the approval by ASTM for the use of a 50% synthetic jet fuel in commercial aviation. They are hoping eventually for a 100% xTL blend made entirely from bio feedstock, such as woodchip waste. Synthetic liquid jet fuels can be made from biomass, natural gas or coal, all of which are known as xTL fuels. Airbus envisions roughly 30% of jet fuel will be "sustainable biojet fuel" by 2030. (Air Cargo World)
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Biofuels: Making the climate crisis worse, not better – 12th October protest
There will be a protest on Monday 12th October, outside DECC in London, at 6.30pm. This is organised by CCC, BiofuelWatch and Food Not Fuel. The protest will highlight the way the government is diverting renewable energy subsidies (or Renewable Obligations Certificates – ROCs) to subsidise power stations that use ‘agrofuels’ - and palm oil is the cheapest fuel they currently use, with a huge carbon footprint. (Not an aviation protest, but related).
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Alaska, seven other airlines, to buy synthetic diesel
Seattle-based Alaska Airlines and seven other carriers have agreed to buy up to 1.5 million gallons per year of renewable synthetic diesel fuel for use in ground-service equipment at Los Angeles International Airport. The airlines signed the agreement with Rentech, Inc. and Aircraft Service International Group to buy the RenDiesel fuel starting in late 2012. Rentech will produce the fuel primarily from urban woody green waste. (Seattle)
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I’m in a dirty old business but I try – Branson and biofuels
Piece about Branson, and his alleged interest in environmental issues, while running airlines and encouraging flying. Study in hypocrisy. He wants green business to be good for the planet and planes to fly on isobutanol, perhaps made from sugar. He has sunk several million pounds into a company called Gevo that makes it. Branson’s aim is that in 5 years some or all of Virgin’s planes will be running on isobutanol and he will be selling it to rivals. (Times)
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Exxon’s algae to join biofuel push
ExxonMobil and Craig Venter, the pioneer of human genome research, have set up a $600m partnership to research the potential for making biofuels from algae. Mr Venter said that commercial deployment could be 10 years away. Exxon plans to spend $300m on its internal costs for the venture, and up to $300m more with Synthetic Genomics. No-one has yet managed to demonstrate oil production from algae at a large enough scale or a low enough cost, and it needs GM. (FT)
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Boeing and Leading Airlines Announce New Members Added to Sustainable Aviation Fuel Users Group
Boeing and members of the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Users Group, an airline-led industry working group, announced that several airlines have been accepted as members to the group. The new members are Alaska Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, TUIfly and Virgin Blue. The group's aim is to help accelerate the commercialization and availability of sustainable biofuels. Group members have to group members must subscribe to sustainability criteria. (Peanuts)
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Aviation biofuels protest targets Virgin Atlantic
9 activists from Plane Stupid and Action Against Agrofuels have been arrested gate crashing Virgin Atlantic’s 25th birthday party at Heathrow airport, to highlight plans to allow the aviation industry to continue to expand if it uses biofuels instead of conventional aviation fuel. Activists dressed as stewardesses climbed on the entrance of the building and others unfurled banners. Virgin has been an outspoken supporter of biofuels as a "solution" to the steeply rising emissions from aircraft.
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Biofuel buzz builds around jatropha tree; backers say it beats ethanol, but some are skeptical
Biodiesel from jatropha has powered test flights on Air New Zealand and Continental Airlines. It has prompted oil giant BP PLC to partner on jatropha projects in India and Africa. In Florida one jatropha company believes in the trees with such fervor that it calls them the eventual solution to the country's oil problems. But skeptics consider that hyperbole, saying there are still too many questions.
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Information on jatropha and aviation
Some information from a variety of sources on jatropha, and its possible use as an aviation fuel in future.