Air Force Jet Flight Powered Entirely By Biofuel Blend.

The Wired (3/30, Paur) "Danger Room" blog reported that the US Air Force has flown one of its A-10 Thunderbolt II Warthog jets powered entirely by a biofuel blend for the first time. This flight used "a combination of a fuel derived from camelina oil with conventional JP-8 jet fuel." The Pentagon has been searching for new energy alternatives to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels, and the Air Force's current energy plan is to acquire half of domestic aviation fuel from an alternative blend by 2016. "This summer, the Air Force plans to expand the biofuel testing to the F-15 as well," with later tests on the "the four-engined C-17 Globemaster as well as in the F-22 Raptor, the Air Force's high-end stealth fighter."

P&W Signs Deal To Design GTF For MS-21.

[Note: Biofuel-compatible engine.]

Flight International (4/13, Kirby) reported Pratt & Whitney has signed a deal with Irkut to "begin preliminary design activities on the PW1000G geared turbofan that will power Russia's all-new MS-21 twinjet." The contract represents the "beginning of development of the third airframe application for the GTF engine, which has already been selected to power the Bombardier CSeries and Mitsubishi MRJ." P&W is already responsible for the design of the "higher-[thrust] GTF for the 150- to 210-seat MS-21 - the PW1400G, which is rated at between 25,000lb (111kN) and 32,000lb thrust." P&W stated the engine program "fully supports" the Irkut MS-21 development timeline, "which calls for a 2014 first flight and service entry in 2016."


US Airways President Acknowledges Airbus Re-Engining Discussions.

[Note: again, this is related to the biofuel topic as these are biofuel-compatible powerplants.]

Air Transport Intelligence (4/21, Ranson) reported US Airways "is holding discussions with Airbus to supply its input to the airframer for the potential re-engining of the Airbus A320," according to US Airways President Scott Kirby. Kirby admits "although the carrier is having technical discussions with Airbus about re-engining, the carrier is essentially 'agnostic' about how the airframers reach greater narrowbody efficiency." He further acknowledges the "two differing opinions" between the P&W geared turbofan and CFM Leap X "that could potentially power A320s and Boeing 737s." Kirby also "believes the Bombardier CSeries powered by the geared turbofan has supplied Boeing and Airbus incentive to move quickly to offer customers improved efficiency in narrowbody aircraft."

 

Navy Flies "Green Hornet" With Biofuel Blend.

The Wired (4/23, Paur) "Danger Room" blog reports, "It's starting to feel like hardly a week goes by without getting a press release regarding a jet flying on a new biofuel somewhere in the world. The Navy and Boeing did manage to time this latest move well by flying an unmodified F/A-18 Super Hornet on Earth Day with a 50/50 blend of camelina sourced biofuel and traditional JP-5 fuel powering the jet." This was the first flight of the "Green Hornet," which "flew as expected with no surprises, according to the pilot." Upcoming flights will test the blend for the first time at supersonic speeds. However, "To date there is no consensus on what kind of feedstocks will be the preferred fuel source for the Pentagon or where the feedstock for the fuel will come from."

Pratt & Whitney Promoting New Geared Turbofan Engine.

The Wall Street Journal (4/30, Sanders, subscription required) reports on Pratt & Whitney's desire to rebound in the commercial aerospace industry via a new engine that is has spend the past decade developing. The new engine, the Geared Turbofan, boasts improved fuel efficiency and lower noise than anything on the market. The company has an opportunity with Boeing and Airbus, as both are decided if they will re-engine their most popular aircraft with the Geared Turbofan. David Hass, P&W's president, said "This is not a paper engine. It's been through a tremendous amount of testing on the ground and in a flight-test program we ran in 2008. It demonstrated everything we've asserted in the marketplace." Nevertheless, the article notes a few hurdles still remain for P&W to secure a contract with either of the two major companies.

Airbus Open To Non-IAE Geared Turbofan

AviationWeek (5/10, Guy Norris) Airbus says it is now prepared to accept an A320 re-engining proposal from Pratt & Whitney based on the geared turbofan (GTF) amid increasing signs that Rolls-Royce will not be persuaded to buy in to the initiative under the existing International Aero Engines partnership. Until now, Airbus has pushed for any GTF proposal for its A320 neo (new engine option) to be sourced through IAE, mainly to help preserve commonality with the existing supply base behind the V2500 turbofan used on the A320. Airbus Programs VP Tom Williams says, “We’d prefer it to be an IAE solution and if, in the end, they cannot find a way of focusing together on a GTF solution, then we are willing to work only with Pratt.” Williams also adds that it is increasingly likely the engine selection will not be an either/or solution between the GTF and CFM International’s competing Leap-X, a new-technology successor to the CFM56. “In the end, it will be both engines, not one or the other.” The timing of which goes first “is up to the market to decide.” Should Rolls opt finally to decline a role in the GTF, “Pratt will find other partners” eager to step into the gap, says Williams. Although cautioning that the entire re-engining initiative “is not a done deal,” Williams adds, “I presonally believe it is the right thing to do.” “It’s not a fait accompli about whether we will re-engine or not,” says Airbus Chief Operating Officer-Customers John Leahy, who confirms the timeline for the $1 billion-plus decision is stretching to the right. Engineering resources are taxed with improving the A380, as well as developing the A350 and A400M. “There is a lot on our plate. That’s the reason the decision won’t be taken for another few months, and maybe not until around the end of the year,” Leahy says.Reinforcing the point, Williams adds, “This is such a big and important decision that we’re not going to be hidebound by a particular air show,’ he says, referring to previous plans by Airbus to announce the A320 neo decision at the Farnborough Air Show. Reflecting on the choices arrayed before the company, Williams says the GTF, in particular, still has many questions to answer before it can be considered a safe bet. “Do we believe the performance claims and can that performance be delivered in a way that doesn’t sacrifice performance? On GTF, can we convince ourselves the technology for the gearbox is now mature? So can it work in all conditions -- for example, with contaminated oil? Can the gearbox live with that? So there’s lots of questions to answer and quite a bit of the business case to go through.”

 

Boeing Makes Biofuel Agreement With Chinese Companies.

The Seattle Post Intelligencer (5/27, Cohen) "Aerospace News" blog reported, "Boeing, PetroChina and Chinese energy and aviation industry representatives Thursday announced an agreement to evaluate establishing a sustainable aviation biofuels industry in China." This evaluation, to begin next month, "will look at all phases of biofuel development and supports a broader sustainable aviation biofuel agreement between China's National Energy Administration and the US Trade and Development Agency, Boeing said." The article noted "Air China, PetroChina, Boeing and Honeywell's UOP have agreed to conduct an inaugural flight in China using sustainable biofuel derived from biomass grown and processed in that country."

USAF States It Will "Easily Meet" Blended Fuel Goal In 2011.

Flight International (6/8, Decker) reports the USAF feels it is "confident it will easily meet a 2011 goal by certificating its entire turbine fleet to burn blended fuel, half of which will be converted from coal or natural gas." The article explains the USAF's increasing relationship with synthetic jet fuels over the past few years, and their growing reliance in the future. "Real progress means being able to make large-scale, cost-effective purchases of alternative fuels," says USAF undersecretary Erin Conaton. "We need help from industry leaders so that by our 2016 goal year, we can competitively acquire half of our domestic aviation fuel requirement via an alternative fuel blend."

EADS To Show Off Algae-Based Biofuel.

Flight Daily News (6/8, O'Keeffe) reported EADS plans to reveal an "environmental breakthrough" at Berlin's ILA show "by flying an aircraft powered by a biofuel composed purely of algae." The flights utilize a Diamond DA42 light twin powered by Austro Engine AE300s and "As a result of algae's higher energy content, fuel burn will be 1.5 litres per hour (0.4USgal/h) lower than if conventional Jet-A1 fuel were used," says EADS.

 

Boeing, EADS Make Biofuel News This Week.

The Seattle Post Intelligencer (6/17, Cohen) "Aerospace News" blog reported, "Boeing and EADS have both made biofuel news this week." A Royal Netherlands Air Force Boeing AH-64D Apache helicopter became the first rotorcraft to use biofuels derived "from algae-based biomass and used cooking oil" that required no modifications to the helicopter. Meanwhile, "On Thursday, EADS and its Eurocopter subsidiary announced they would evaluate creation of production facility for algae-based aviation biofuel in Brazil with BioCombustibles del Chubut."

Pacific NW will examine using biofuels for jets

(Bloomberg, 07/14/10) Major airports in the Pacific Northwest are joining Boeing Co., Alaska Airlines and Washington State University to study how biomass sources might produce aviation fuel. The six-month study announced Monday will look at how a biofuels industry might be created in the Northwest and used to power jet fleets. Portland International Airport, Seattle-Tacoma International and Spokane International will take part. Boeing has said that by 2015, it and other aircraft makers and airlines want to use biofuels for 1 percent of annual fuel consumption - about 500 million to 600 million gallons. Among the possible fuel sources are algae, wood byproducts and farm crops. Proponents say biofuels could eliminate millions of tons of greenhouse gases.

Biofuels "Hot Topic" At Green Air Show.

The New York Times (7/19, Brett) website reported on the second Green Air Show that took place last month. "Alongside the makers of solar-powered planes, flying robots and airships...the 52 participants in the salon included the engine maker Snecma and European Aeronautic Defense & Space proof that the mainstream is getting involved." Paul Steele, Executive Director of the Air Transport Action Group, noted some of the technology being developed, but "said his group is lobbying for quick implementation of the European 'Single Sky' coordinated control program and the US Next Generation air traffic management project" which would have more environmental benefits than any plane technology. However, the "hot topic" at the conference was biofuels. Steele said it is "probably the most exciting area that is developing quickly."

 

Alternate Fuel Providers Work Toward Neutral Growth Goal.

Flight Daily News (7/20, Reals) reported, "IATA's goal of carbon-neutral growth for the aviation industry in the medium term is achievable, according to representatives of the United Alternative Aviation Fuels Display...which is exhibiting at Farnborough for the first time to publicise the progress that biofuels have made towards meeting that target." Richard Altman, executive director of the Commercial Aviation Fuels Initiative, added, "We have a very important message. We're dealing with technologies that can contribute on a significant level to achieving carbon-neutral growth."

EADS Working On Algae Biofuel-Powered Planes.

The Wall Street Journal (7/22, Lagorce, subscription required) reports EADS is developing a four-seater propeller plan that will use biofuels made from algae. EADS' CTO Jean Botti said in an interview at Farnborough that, "We absolutely need to find a plan B for the replacement of kerosene." The Journal also notes a recent DOE report that indicates algae biofuels are years away from being commercially significant.

Bombardier, Porter Airlines Working On Biofuel-Based Turboprop.

Air Transport Intelligence (7/21, Ranson) added, "Bombardier and Porter Airlines are working to complete the first biofuel trial on a large turboprop once a Q400 operated by the carrier completes the test in early 2012." The two companies "are part of a consortium led by Targeted Growth Canada to demonstrate a camelina-based biofuel on the aircraft supplied by Sustainable Oils. Other partners include Q400 engine supplier Pratt & Whitney and Honeywell subsidiary UOP."

 

Utah company develops powdered biofuel


(E. Voegele, 8/18/10, Biomass) Compact Contractors of America LLC, a Utah-based company developing dry algae aviation fuels, recently announced it has sold samples of its powdered algae-based jet fuel to the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory. According to Robert Fulton, CCA’s chief technologist and founder, the laboratory will conduct testing and evaluation on the fuel for use as a solid propellant for aviation rocket use.

CCA’s technology involves drying biobased feedstock at a specific temperature over a specific period of time, said Fulton. “We use a spray dryer [which is] commercial technology that is currently available,” he continued. “I discovered…that under certain conditions you can actually draw the oils to the surface of the cells while you are removing the moisture from [the feedstock].” The resulting powdered fuel is very conducive to simultaneous combustion, Fulton said, meaning that the sugars, plant material, cellulose and proteins all tend to fire at once. “It does not caramelize and it does not gel, which makes it a good jet fuel,” he continued...

Jatropha Sent To ISS To Make It Better Source Of Biofuel.

Florida Today (8/24, Peterson) reports, "In a Gainesville laboratory, mutant plants created in space are being carefully watched because they could become a source of jet fuel." The plan, jatropha, "produces excellent jet fuel," but because of where it grows on Earth it is very difficult to cultivate. In order to make jathropha a better biofuel source, Vecenergy and the University of Florida "sent jatropha specimens, prepared at Kennedy Space Center, to the International Space Station on the STS-130 in Feburary and on STS-132 in May to be exposed to microgravity, which activates dormant genes." Currently, the first 72 samples are being examined to see if the trip will allow the plant to be "domesticated" and produce more oil. "If the plant mutations created in space produce a variety that can be grown commercially, investors likely would build a processing facility."


Joule Unlimited Co: ‘Fuel from thin air’ [phototrobes] comes closer.

(8/24, BioFuelDigest) In Massachusetts, the secretive Joule Unlimited (then known as Joule Biotechnologies) emerged late last year from “stealth mode” with the startling announcement that their technology could produce up to 15,000 gallons per acre (per year) of drop-in hydrocarbon fuels, using only sunlight, CO2 and (fresh, brackish or saline) water as inputs. The Solar Converter – including radical new micro-organism and a technology known as helioculture – is the heart of Joule’s IP. Did it the announcement change everything? No. Will it change the biofuels competitive landscape? It already has, and conceptually contains those Four Horsemen of a Market Apocalyse that VC so dearly love: disruptive, scalable, competitive, protected technology...

 

Biofuel ready for commercial-scale production.

(N. Odenaal, 9/10, Engineering News) "Process technology supplier Honeywell UOP is ready to move its green jet fuel into commercial-scale production within the next two or three years, and has started the certification and licensing processes. The green jet fuel was originally developed under contract from the US-based Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency [DARPA] in 2007, to identify new sources for producing renewable military jet fuel for the US military. Green jet fuel currently costs more than petroleum-based fuel owing to its small-scale production and feedstocks, which are also not yet produced on a commercial scale. “As more biological feedstocks, such as camelina and algae, become available and, as we move into commercial-scale fuel production in the next few years, we expect that the costs will be comparable,” the company tells Engineering News. The fuel is made using process technology which converts natural oils, such as algae, the plant camelina and used cooking oil, which is then blended in a 50% mixture with traditional jet fuel for flight. In June, green jet fuel powered the first helicopter biofuel demonstration flight on a Boeing AH-64D Apache helicopter, flown by the Royal Netherlands Air Force. The flight, which made use of sustainable aviation biofuels on a helicopter for the first time, was undertaken at Gilze-Rijen airbase, the home of the Royal Netherlands combat helicopter fleet. The green jet fuel has also been demonstrated in fixed-wing flights with the US Air Force and Navy as part of a joint programme for alternative fuels testing and certification under the US Defence Energy Support Centre, the company says. “The company’s focus is to ensure that all stringent specifications for jet fuel are met, while producing a drop-in fuel that could be used without making any modifications to the aircraft or the fuel infrastructure, such as pumps, storage or pipelines,” says Honeywell UOP.

The company, with its partnerships with airlines and aircraft manufacturers, will continue testing the viability of biofuels for both military and commercial aviation through flight demonstrations, and will continue the research and development efforts around biomass to fuel technology. These demonstration flights have also shown that green jet fuel can offer improved energy efficiency, which means that aircraft can travel farther on less fuel. The fuel can also assist in dealing with the growing demand for fuels, the volatility of fuel prices and concerns around greenhouse-gas emissions. A 50:50 blend of green jet fuel and petroleum-based fuel is required as the biofuel does not contain the aromatics required; however, there is a way to produce aromatics from renewable sources (such as waste biomass), which would allow the company to produce a 100% aviation biofuel. “We have proven this technology in the lab and even ran a jet-engine-powered hydroplane boat using this fuel,” the company says. Meanwhile, Honeywell UOP’s Netherlands Department of Energy-funded integrated bio- refinery, currently being built in Kapolei, in Hawaii, aims to scale up this type of technology. The company expects to be producing green fuels and renewable aromatics from biomass at this facility in 2013. Although the technology is ready for licensing to a fuel producer, the focus is now on the certification of the green jet fuel, which is progressing and should be complete by the end of 2010."

 

Aviation Industry Looking At Future Biofuel Sources.

Aviation Week (9/17, Warwick) reported, "In just five years, the aviation industry's decades-long reliance on petroleum-based fuels has been turned on its head. The future lies in fuels from sources that range from animal fat to microalgae. But with the technology in hand, the question now is whether biofuel producers can raise the investment needed to launch commercial-scale production." Approval by ASTM International is described by the article as the "critical step" for their implementation. "While the near-term focus is on plant oils and animal fats as feedstocks, aviation is enamored of algae because it promises high-oil yields from small land areas and does not compete with food for land or water." There is now "growing excitement-and debate" about what new "pathways" for biofuels will be developed.

Airbus, BA Working With Cranfield University On Algae [Biofuel] Project.

(FlightGlobal-Air Transport Intelligence, 9/20, Reals) reported, "Several companies including Airbus and British Airways have teamed up with the UK's Cranfield University to push forward the use of algae as an alternative fuel for the aviation industry. The Sustainable Use of Renewable Fuels (SURF) consortium consists of Airbus, BA, Cranfield University, Rolls-Royce, Finnair, London's Gatwick Airport and IATA. Its aim is to study five areas relating to the possible future use of microalgae as an alternative to kerosene." The consortium "is based around a pilot project at Cranfield called Sea Green, under which algae is being grown and processed for potential use as a biofuel."

Sea Green Project Accelerates Algae for Aviation.

(DomesticFuel, J. Schroeder, 9/23/10) Renewable aviation fuel was a hot topic during the recent Aviation and Environment Summit in Geneva. During the event, the Sustainable Use of Renewable Fuels (SURF) consortium was announced with the intention of accelerating algae for aviation fuel. SURF was developed to support Cranfield University’s Sea Green project that will harvest algae to produce jet fuel at commercial scale. SURF is comprised of Airbus, British Airways, Rolls-Royce, Finnair, Gatwick Airport, IATA, and Cranfield University. Cranfield currently has a pilot facility on campus that is growing and processing algae for biofuels. However, the long-term the goal is for Sea Green to be an ocean based facility and producing commercial scale levels of bio-jet fuel within three years. According to a press release, Sea Green’s ocean based facility, “will be designed to use the expanse of the world’s near-shore waters to rapidly grow microalgae at a faster rate than any other initiative and capture CO2 from the atmosphere and seas at the same time...”

 

Boeing, Air China Conducting Biofuel Test Next Year.

The Wall Street Journal (10/19, N. Shirouzu, subscription required) website reported Boeing is working with Air China on a biofuels test using a formula based on local jatropha plants. A commercial jet would fly with the fuel next year... Boeing first tested a biofuel on a Virgin Atlantic Boeing 747 jet in early 2008 in London. It has since conducted similar tests a few more times, each time experimenting with different types of biofuels on different engines.

US Biofuel Wins 75% Subsidy: Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) will pay farmers

(10/25, Renewable Energy World, Washington DC) A joint scheme between the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to promote "green" aviation fuel, as well as the findings of a USDA report into biofuels, were also announced by Agricultural Secretary Tom Vilsack last night. "Domestic production of renewable energy, including biofuels, is a national imperative and that's why USDA is working to assist in developing a biofuels industry in every corner of the nation" according to Tom Vilsack, Agricultural Secretary. In a dual approach, BCAP will provide up to 75% of producers' costs in establishing eligible crops in specific areas, while also offering longer-term support for up to five years for annual or non-woody perennial crops and for up to 15 years for woody perennial crops, he told the National Press Club in Washington. Matching payments will assist the transport of eligible materials to qualified biomass conversion facilities. The programme, which had operated as a pilot scheme, is now activated with the publication by Vilsack of a “final rule”. Authorised in the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008, BCAP is aimed at ensuring a large enough base of new, non-food, non-feed biomass crops is established in anticipation of future renewable energy demand. "Domestic production of renewable energy, including biofuels, is a national imperative and that's why USDA is working to assist in developing a biofuels industry in every corner of the nation," he said. A five-year agreement between the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will research the production of jet fuel from forest and crop residues and other "green" feedstocks, he added. The joint initiative aims to cut dependence on foreign oil and to stabilise fuel costs by assessing different feedstocks for bio-refineries. A wider research plan through USDA’s five Regional Biomass Research Centers is directed at accelerating development of a commercial advanced biofuels industry in the US – including as many rural areas as possible to spread the economic benefits. The USDA has also released an updated version of 'Effects of Increased Biofuels on the US Economy in 2022', a report by the USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS), which found that replacing more petroleum with cost-competitive biofuels would cut crude oil imports, reduce energy prices and aid the economy. The ERS report found that cost-cutting technology in biofuels is set to raise workers’ wages while improving the productivity of the overall economy. The emergence of next-generation biofuels is also expected to drive down the cost of producing ethanol as output rises.

Pratt & Whitney In Early Testing Of Geared Turbofan [biofuel compatible] Engine.

Air Transport Intelligence (10/29, Ostrower) reported, "Pratt & Whitney has entered early testing on the PurePower PW1524G geared turbofan, having achieved idle and full power runs." The company reported 10 hours of engine testing so far and is currently producing a second and third test engine. "The first six months of the two-year development process will be devoted to establishing the conforming article for regulatory approval, which will be followed by 15-18 months of certification testing." The article noted "Pratt touts a 15% to 20% improvement in fuel burn over equivalent engines."

 

Young algae industry getting government push.

(11/02, MSNBC, M. Rivera) Startups try to bring alternative biofuel to commercial scale. With a big boost from the government, algae is making headway as a potential replacement for some of the 18 million barrels of crude oil used daily nationwide. Not only has the federal government invested heavily in the emerging biofuel, but the military has stepped up as a potential customer. Algae biofuel, while still experimental, also is attracting the attention of big oil companies and commercial users including airlines and manufacturers. Algae biofuel is an experimental source of renewable energy that’s produced when algae produce a substance that can be harvested and processed into crude oil. The crude can then be processed in traditional oil refineries and converted into fuels for transportation, such as diesel, gasoline or jet fuel, or they can be used to replace the oils in soaps, foods and pharmaceuticals. Algae use less overall carbon than fossil fuels because the plants absorb carbon as they grow and release it when their fuels are burnt, rather than just releasing carbon during use, as is the case with petroleum-based fuels. And of course algae can be grown domestically, reducing the amount of petroleum we need to import. The clearest example of how far algal fuels have come was on display in late October when the Navy tested a river patrol boat that was powered by algae biodiesel. The small ship was the first sea vessel the Navy has tested as a part of its effort to sail a “Great Green Fleet” in 2016, and to source half of its energy from renewable fuels by 2020. Tom Hicks, deputy assistant secretary of the Navy for energy, says that those dates are based, in large part, on what the Navy expects the biofuels industry can achieve. "The goals that we've laid out for ourselves tie into where industry is headed," he says." Sapphire Energy, a San Diego-based company, grows algae using unfiltered, brackish water on land that was otherwise unused. The company's pilot facility, in the southern New Mexico desert, contains a series of long, outdoor ponds where the algae has access to abundant sunlight, which it converts into energy. Sapphire’s desert construction is common for the industry. Many algae start-ups have been built in the sunny southern United States and in Hawaii, where importing fuel is costly, says Richard Sayre of the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center in St. Louis. Kristina Burow, co-founder of Sapphire Energy, says the company “spent a considerable amount of time and effort to make our algal strains agriculture-ready, so that they can grow in a wild setting. And New Mexico is plenty wild.” With the help of over $100 million in grants and loan guarantees from the departments of Energy and Agriculture, Sapphire broke ground this year on a new, 300-acre facility. The complex will allow the company to produce larger batches of the fuel, and to test plans for self-contained production facilities. Labor costs for the young biofuel industry can be particularly high because of the need for a diverse team of biologists, geneticists and engineers, similar to the way an established oil company would employ specialists in geology and drilling technologies.

For biofuel companies, bringing down the cost of production is among the biggest challenges they face, and they are constantly searching for ways to save money and improve output. In South San Francisco, another startup, Solazyme, has tried to cut costs and speed the timeline by growing algae in fermentation tanks, feeding the microbes sugars rather than sunlight. This avoids the need to test the construction of expensive new facilities. Algae can be fed anything “from forest residue, like wood chips, to prairie grasses, like switch grass," said Jonathan Wolfson, CEO of Solazyme. Solazyme’s goal is to produce algae-based crude oils that cost between $60 and $80 per barrel, which would make it competitive with oil, currently trading for about $80 a barrel. Solazyme has partnered with oil giant Chevron, giving the company access to additional capital and to refining facilities in Pennsylvania. As Wolfson explains that, after “many years and many millions of dollars of investment,” Solzyme has been able to bring down its costs, Wolfson says. But ”ultimately, we still need a dedicated, appropriately sized plant to hit the cost structure.” Wolfson says that Solazyme, which was founded in 2003, is on track to deliver more than 100,000 barrels of oil this year, most of which will go to the Navy. He says that the coordination between the departments of Energy, Agriculture and Defense helps companies like his cross the “chasm of death” from the initial raising of capital to having a market-ready product. Despite some early successes, the algae fuel industry is still a few years from commercial-scale production. Steve Chalk, acting deputy assistant secretary of energy for renewable energy, the government, says he expects to see commercial production increase over the next five years, with algal biofuels reaching the commercial market in five to ten years. Potential customers already are testing the product. Last year Continental Airlines tested a biofuel blend that used algae from Sapphire Energy. Boeing has also tested algal biofuels, and plans to fly another test in 2011 using an algal biofuel produced in China.