Boeing Backs Algae To Fuel Airplanes.
Spiegel Online (4/15, Seidler) interviewed Boeing chief environmental strategist Billy Glover on the airline industry's interest in biofuels. Asked why airlines would "still even be interested in biofuels" given the low price of oil, Glover replied, "Even today, the highest operating expense for an airline is fuel. It remains a priority to find a way to mitigate that situation." Glover said that biofuel commercialization couldn't happen "unless we make sure that it is done in a sustainable fashion," adding that the industry plans to "establish a user group of top airlines from around the world" to develop a "code of practice to make clear what is acceptable and what is not." Glover also spoke on the industry's plans to change the ratio by which biofuels would be "blended with traditional kerosene-based jet fuel" and cost issues associated with the airline industry becoming "part of the European Union emissions trading scheme in 2012."
IATA To Use 10 Percent Biofuels By 2017.
Biodiesel Magazine (4/17), from its May 2009 issue, reports, "The International Air Transport Association recently outlined its commitment to environmental responsibility, which includes the use of 10 percent alternative fuels within the next eight years." IATA Chief Executive Officer Giovanni Bisignani "said the recent tests performed by Air New Zealand and Continental Airlines proved that biofuels are viable." He called for governments to deliver certification of biofuels "by 2010 or 2011," faster than the current timeline of 2013.
Jet fuel from oilseeds emits less greenhouse gas
By Matthew Brown,
Associated Press 04/29/09
BILLINGS, Mont. — A new study says jet fuel made with the oilseed crop camelina could cut greenhouse gas emissions by up to 84% compared with jet fuel from petroleum.
The finding is expected to be used by the aviation industry as it weighs a number of alternative fuels with the potential to reduce costs and curb emissions.
Camelina is considered well-suited to Montana and other arid Northern Plains states because it needs little water. Terrance Scott with the aircraft manufacturer Boeing says camelina is one of a handful of crops with the potential to provide sufficient "feedstock" to make large quantities of jet fuel.
However, the industry has struggled to attract growers willing to switch to the crop. Also, falling oil prices have dampened its economic appeal.
The greenhouse gas emissions study was done by the Sustainable Futures Institute at Michigan Technological University. It was funded by the camelina industry and conducted with jet fuel from camelina seeds developed by a Bozeman company, Sustainable Oils.