GE Aviation Also Onboard In Search For Sustainable Energy
Sources
Continental Airlines, Boeing and GE Aviation announced this week
plans to conduct a biofuels demonstration flight in the first half
of 2009, in an effort to identify sustainable fuel solutions for
the aviation industry. Continental is the first major US carrier to
announce plans to highlight technological advancements in
sustainable biofuels that can help to further reduce carbon
emissions.
"Exploring sustainable biofuels is a logical and exciting new
step in our environmental commitment. For more than a decade, we
have been focused on reducing fuel consumption and carbon
emissions, while providing industry-leading service to the places
our customers want to go," said Mark Moran, Continental Airlines
executive vice president of operations. "Boeing and GE Aviation
have been frontrunners in pioneering technology that will benefit
the aviation industry, customers, and the environment, and we are
pleased to benefit from their expertise in this venture."
As ANN reported, Boeing and
GE partnered with Virgin Atlantic earlier this year for the flight
of a 747-400 on a biofuel blend composed of babassu oil and coconut
oil. The companies noted both oils are economically and socially
sustainable, and can be found in everyday cosmetic products
including lip balm and shaving cream -- but that doesn't mean the
2009 flight will use the same fuel.
The North American biofuel flight
will use a Boeing 737 equipped with CFM International CFM56-7B
engines. In the months leading up to the flight, the companies will
work together and with an undisclosed fuel provider to identify
sustainable fuel sources that don't impact food crops, water
resources or contribute to deforestation, and which can be produced
in sufficient quantities to support a pre-flight test schedule that
includes laboratory and ground-based jet engine performance testing
to ensure compliance with stringent aviation fuel performance and
safety requirements.
"Continental is taking an important step in advancing the use of
sustainable biofuels in aviation," said Scott Donnelly, president
and CEO of GE Aviation. "Working with our jet engine team at CFM
International, GE has considerable experience in evaluating
biofuels in jet engines for aviation and in aeroderivative engines
for marine and industrial applications. GE and CFM are eager to get
started in supporting Continental's exciting program."
Sustainable biofuels for aviation incorporate second-generation
methodologies relative to fuel source selection and processing,
which are uniquely suited for aerospace use. These biofuels can
then be blended with kerosene fuel (Jet-A) to reduce dependency on
fossil fuels.
Additional details, including the flight plan, will be announced
closer to the demonstration flight date.
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