Consortium Sets Sights on Ocean-Based Biofuel Facility

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at Cranfield University, backed by British Airways and Airbus, are working to harness algae for commercial production of jet fuel. The Sustainable Use of Renewable Fuels consortium, which includes Rolls-Royce, Finnair, and IATA, aims to support the university's 'Sea Green' project, an ocean-based facility for sustainable biomass production. The project has the potential to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of global aviation, with goals of achieving 50% reduction by 2050. The consortium's advisory group will support the definition, objectives, and outcomes of this project, with the first commercial quantities of products expected within three years.

Key Takeaways:

  • British Airways and Airbus are backing Cranfield University's pioneering project to harvest algae for commercial production of jet fuel.
  • The Sustainable Use of Renewable Fuels consortium, including Rolls-Royce, Finnair, and IATA, will serve as an advisory group for the 'Sea Green' project.
  • The project aims to achieve significant reduction in the carbon footprint of global aviation, with goals of achieving 50% reduction by 2050.
  • Cranfield University's pilot facility on campus is currently growing and processing algae for biofuels, with the eventual aim being an ocean-based facility for commercial quantities of biomass production.
  • British Airways has announced plans to establish Europe's first sustainable jet-fuel plant, with the goal of using low-carbon fuel to power part of its fleet from 2014.
  • The new fuel will be derived from waste biomass and manufactured in a state-of-the-art facility.
  • The project will look at ways to grow and harvest naturally occurring species of algae in large volumes and to process these into fuel.

Statistics:

  • 50% reduction in carbon footprint of global aviation expected by 2050.
  • 70% of the Earth's surface is water, making it a logical area for algae growth.
  • 3 years: projected timeframe for the availability of first commercial quantities of products from the 'Sea Green' project.
  • 2014: year by which British Airways plans to use low-carbon fuel to power part of its fleet.

Sources:

  • Aviation and Environment Summit in Geneva, no date specified.
  • British Airways announcement, no date specified.
  • Professor Feargal Brennan, head of Cranfield University's Department of Offshore, Process and Energy Engineering, no date specified.