Boeing, Etihad Airways, Honeywell and Masdar Institute Involved
In Abu Dhabi Effort
Can seawater be used in the middle of a desert to create
sustainable bioenergy? That's the question Boeing, the Masdar
Institute of Science and Technology, Etihad Airways and Honeywell's
UOP hope to be able to answer with the establishment of a major
research institution and demonstration project in Abu Dhabi
dedicated to sustainable energy solutions. The Sustainable
Bioenergy Research Project (SBRP) will use integrated saltwater
agricultural systems to support the development and
commercialization of biofuel sources for aviation and coproducts,
the group announced Monday.
As part of its initial work statement, the SBRP will undertake
research projects that combine the arid, saline-rich environment of
Abu Dhabi with innovative saltwater farming practices. The Masdar
Institute will host the SBRP and provide laboratory and
demonstration facilities both within and outside of Masdar City,
which aims to be the world's first zero-carbon city.
"Together with the Abu Dhabi government, Etihad Airways and
other industry leaders, we are forging our energy future by
developing a renewable fuel supply now, not when fossil fuels are
depleted," said Jim Albaugh, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial
Airplanes. "Developing and commercializing these low-carbon energy
sources is the right thing for our industry, for our customers and
for future generations."
Etihad Airways Chief Executive Officer James Hogan said, "The
development of carbon-neutral sources of energy is of major
importance to Etihad Airways and the aviation industry. We are
delighted to be a key member of the Sustainable Bioenergy Research
Project, which will be based in Abu Dhabi and will be one of the
most innovative schemes of this nature in the world. The SBRP
findings will be of great use to Etihad Airways as we look to
reduce the use of conventional fossil fuels and to develop a
commercially viable alternative that is also able to meet the
sustainability principles that we have committed to as a member of
the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Users Group."
"The paradigm for energy supply is shifting. To meet the growing
demand for energy worldwide, we must identify regional biofuel
solutions that are not only sustainable but can actually regenerate
the ecosystems where they are generated," said Jennifer Holmgren,
vice president and general manager of Renewable Energy &
Chemicals for Honeywell's UOP. "This project is a unique
opportunity to showcase the viability of a geographically optimized
solution and the availability of solutions that produce
high-quality, green transportation fuels."
The integrated approach uses saltwater to create an
aquaculture-based seafood farming system in parallel with the
growth of mangrove forests and salicornia, a plant that thrives in
salty conditions. This closed-loop system converts what would
otherwise be problematic aquaculture effluent in seawater into an
affordable, nutrient-rich fertilizer for both plants. These biomass
sources can then be sustainably harvested to generate clean energy
and to create aviation biofuels and other products. Developing
low-cost, nonpetroleum fertilizers is one of the keys to achieving
genuine carbon emissions reductions from any biofuel source.
As an independent research university working in renewable
energy development, the Masdar Institute will lead SBRP operations,
bringing strong scientific guidance to the project. According to
Masdar Institute Provost Dr. John Perkins, "This project
demonstrates the Masdar Institute's strong desire to establish a
world-class university dedicated to alternative energy,
environmental technologies and sustainability. This project will
for the first time demonstrate the commercial viability of using
integrated saltwater agriculture to provide biofuels for aviation,
and it is consistent with the overall vision of Abu Dhabi to
achieve a 7 percent target of renewables by 2020."
The evolutionary seawater farming concept has been pioneered by
Dr. Carl Hodges of Global Seawater, Inc., who has been engaged as a
special adviser to the project, which will take place over an area
of approximately 2 square kilometers (0.8 square miles).
The Sustainable Aviation Fuel Users Group (SAFUG) says
sustainable biofuel development is a key element of aviation's
strategy to reduce carbon emissions. The SBRP will only research
biomass sources that do not distort the global food chain, compete
with fresh water use or lead to unintended land-use change. All
phases of biomass cultivation for the project will be tested
against the practices and principles developed by the Roundtable on
Sustainable Biofuels and supported by SAFUG members.