Multiple Airlines Try Out Green Alternative

Through all the discussion of climate change, alternative fuels have shared a major portion of the spotlight. Whether ethanol, which is powering some aircraft flying at air shows today, or more exotic ideas for all segments of the aviation industry, the search for an environmentally-friendly fuel has sparked a wave of research that could one day lead to lower emissions for aircraft from LSA's to jumbo jets.

According to a report in McClatchey Newspapers, that day may be closer than ever. Billy Glover, who heads Boeing's environmental strategy group, said initial flight tests of a jet fuel make partly from camelina, algae or other bio-feed stocks can reduce greenhouse gas emissions from airplanes by more than 50 percent, doesn't affect performance and presents no technical or safety problems. "It meets all jet fuel requirements and then some," he said.

Camelina is a plant loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, which are good for the heart. But Montana State University researchers see another benefit. It can also be used to make environmentally friendly alternatives to fossil fuel. According to the report, Boeing, Virgin Atlantic, New Zealand Air, Continental Airlines and Japan Airlines, along with GE Aircraft Engines, have conducted four tests using a mixture of biofuel and regular jet fuel over the past 15 months. The planes involved included wide-body 747s and single-aisle 737s. The biofuels included blends of babassu, sustainably grown coconut oil, jatropha, algae and camelina. Earlier this year, DARPA contracted with Science Applications International Corp to develop an algae-base alternative jet fuel for the U.S Military.

Glover, though, was not so bullish on the algae-based fuel, which is a bi-product of the organisms' digestion process. He said it was overall the most promising, but it is 8 to 10 years away from commercial production. Camelina could be grown on up to 10 million acres in the U.S. and also grows well Canada, Central Europe, and Australia. Estimates are it could yield up to 100-200 gallons per acre, or about a billion gallons per year. That would be just a small dent in the 65 billion gallons consumed by airliners worldwide, but, said Glover, it would be a good start.

FMI: www.epa.gov