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04/06/2013
​Purchase agreement between United Airlines and AltAir Fuels for cost-competitive biofuels
 
On 4 June 2013, United Airlines executed a definitive purchase agreement with AltAir Fuels for cost-competitive, sustainable, advanced biofuels at commercial scale.
 
With United’s strategic partnership, AltAir Fuels will retrofit part of an existing petroleum refinery to become a 30 million gallon, advanced biofuel refinery near Los Angeles, Calif where it will produce low-carbon renewable jet fuel and other renewable products. Using UOP technology, the AltAir facility will be the first refinery internationally to be capable of in-line production of both renewable jet and diesel fuels. The fuel is expected to achieve at least a 50 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions on a lifecycle basis.
 
United has agreed to buy 15 million gallons of lower-carbon, renewable jet fuel over a three-year period, with the option to purchase more. The airline is purchasing the advanced biofuel at a price competitive with traditional, petroleum-based jet fuel, and AltAir expects to begin delivering at Los Angeles hub five million gallons of renewable jet fuel per year to United starting in 2014. United will support AltAir Fuels’ efforts to incorporate internationally recognized sustainability standards, such as those being developed by the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB).

United Airlines Press Release

 

United Airlines, AltAir FuelsUSABiofuelsDeployment 
28/05/2013

​US Department of Defense awards 16 M$ for drop-in military biofuels

DoD will award three contracts for a total amount of 16 M$ to Emerald Biofuels, Natures BioReserve and Fulcrum Biofuels to develop plans for biorefineries able to produce up to 150 million gallon at a cost bellow 4 $ per gallon. These companies will add 17 M$ of investments to the grant.
 
These contracts constitute the first step of a two phases program. The second phase would award up to 180 M$ in additional contracts to accelerate the construction of at least one biorefinery capable of providing US military with sufficient fuels to meet its Great Green Fleet plans. There is no guarantee however that Phase 1 recipients will be automatically the finalist for Phase 2 grants. Despite this, DoD received more than a dozen of proposals.

The ultimate goal of the project is to establish one or more complete value chains, including feedstock  production and logistics, conversion facilities (Integrated Biorefineries), fuel blending, transportation, and logistics. The biorefinery should be capable to produce drop-in liquid fuels such as JP-5 or JP-8.

 

Department of Defense, Emerald Biofuels, Natures BioReserve, Fulcrum BiofuelsUSABiofuelsDeployment 
22/05/2013
​Australian research releases results on economic viability of aviation biofuels
 
As part of the Queensland Sustainable Aviation Fuel Initiative, the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, based at The University of Queensland, carried out a detailed techno-economic modelling of the processes to convert three feedstocks - sucrose from sugar cane; microalgae; and oily seeds from Pongamia tree - to produce a minimum selling price for aviation biofuel.

The results showed that using current proven technologies, the biofuels would be economically competitive with crude oil at a price per barrel of $301 (sugarcane), $374 (Pongamia seeds) and $1,343 (microalgae).

The study also identified priorities for research that are likely to have the highest impact on lowering costs. These priorities include: 

  • delivering higher fermentation yields in the sucrose process;
  • producing Pongamia seeds with a higher oil content; and
  • developing cheaper and more effective microalgae harvesting technologies.

The results showed that implementing these technological improvements could lower the price to $168 (sugarcane), $255 (Pongamia seeds) and $385 (algae).

The Queensland Sustainable Aviation Fuel Initiative involve Queensland Government, the University of Queensland, James Cook University, The Boeing Company, Virgin Australia, Mackay Sugar and IOR Energy.

Read more on Phys.org

University of QueenslandAustraliaBiofuelsCommunication & analysis 
13/05/2013

​Agreement between BioFuelNet Canada, Airbus and Air Canada to develop advanced biofuels solutions for aviation

 
BioFuelNet Canada, a non-profit organization hosted by Montreal’s McGill University has signed an agreement with Air Canada and Airbus to explore advanced biofuel solutions for aviation. Research will focus on diverse raw materials, such as municipal solid waste and agricultural and forestry waste, as well as a range of conversion processes available for biofuel production. The ultimate goal is to determine which advanced biofuels are the most sustainable for aviation. 
 
BioFuelNet was launched in 2012 as part of the Federal Networks of Centres of Excellence program, which funds BioFuelNet through a $25 million grant over 5 years. BioFuelNet brings together 74 leading researchers working on advanced biofuels in Canada, as well as industry partners and government, in order to accelerate research, development, and commercialization of advanced biofuels. In its first year, BFN is funding 64 projects within the network’s four themes: Feedstock, Conversion, Utilization and SEES (Social, Economic and Environmental Sustainability).
 

 

BioFuelNet Canada, Airbus, Air CanadaCanadaBiofuelsR&D 
08/05/2013

​Recent Norwegian study sees local potential for sustainable jet-fuel production from forest biomass

A report commissioned by Norwegian airport operator Avinor, along with airlines SAS and Norwegian, and the Federation of Norwegian Aviation Industries, concludes that cost-competitive, large-scale production of sustainable aviation biofuels could be viable in the country between 2020 and 2025.

Most promising routes by 2025 are considered to be Fischer-Tropsch (FT) thermochemical processing and gasification of forest biomass, and the refining of bio-alcohols to Jet A-1 fuel (ATJ). According to the report, the processing of the harvesting potential from logging residues could yield 230 million liters of renewable jet fuel, an amount quite in line with the one required to meet the 10 to 15% GHG emissions reduction target of the Norwegian aviation industry by 2025.

According to independent consultancy Rambøll , the price of FT-based Jet A-1 can be competitive with conventional Jet A-1 by 2025, provided there is crucial sales income from biodiesel and bionaphtha byproducts. ATJ, yet to be certified from commercial aviation use, is seen as a more expensive fuel with a higher level of uncertainty due to the limited available data about the process.

Life-cycle assessments have been calculated on both processes and results conclude with an 81% emission reduction with FT fuels, compared to a 65% reduction from ATJ fuels.

Avinor said it was prepared to invest up to NOK 100 million ($17m) over a 10-year period into various projects and studies to help realize biofuel production. It has just signed a Letter of Intent with Viken Skog, a cooperative of Norwegian forest owners, to invest in an innovation center that is tasked with looking into biofuel production opportunities.
 

Read more on Greenaironline.com

Access to Avinor's report

 

AvinorNorwayBiofuelsR&D 
02/05/2013

​USAF Research Laboratory begins to test Virent’s biofuel

 
Virent Inc. has delivered 100 gallons of its renewable formula jet fuel to the US Air Force Research Laboratory that will start testing the fuel with view to its approval by ASTM.

The fuel was produced in the new Virent’s demonstration plant commissioned in January under a 1.5 M$ grant from the Federal Aviation Administration and the U.S. Department of Transportation. The facility is able to produce 5,000 gallons per year.

 
Virent Inc.USABiofuelsR&D 
01/05/2013
​
Virgin Australia and SkyNRG sign a MOU to develop Australia’s first bioport
 
SkyNRG, Virgin Australia and Brisbane Airport Corporation have signed a MOU to investigate the potential of setting up a sustainable jet biofuel supply at Brisbane Airport.
The feasibility study, which is expected to take 12 months to complete, will research locally available feedstocks in Queensland, sustainable and cost-effective methods for transporting them, and the most appropriate technology for converting them into biofuel.

Virgin Australia is committed to developing a local sustainable supply of biofuel for use in its aircraft and has set itself the target of 5% renewable fuel use from 2020. In 2011, the airline announced a partnership to develop a sustainable aviation biofuel project in Western Australia using pyrolysis technology to process mallees, a species of eucalypt tree, into jet fuel. Also in 2011, Virgin Australia signed a MoU with Australian biofuel company Licella to assist with the development of technology to convert ligno-cellulosic biomass such as wood waste into sustainable jet fuel.

 

Virgin Australia, SkyNRG, Brisbane Airport CorporationAustraliaBiofuelsR&D 
24/04/2013

China performs its first flight powered by self-developed-biofuel

China conducted on April 24 its first test flight powered by a home-developed biofuel, produced by Sinopec, the country’s leading oil refiner, from palm oil and recycled cooking oil.
 
Review process is still going on and should grant Sinopec with the country’s first permit for commercial use of biofuel.

With an annual consumption of nearly 20 million tons, China has become a significant consumer of aviation fuels, and the development of biofuel is expected to help ease resource pressures and curb carbon dioxide emissions in the industry.

Read more

Sinopec, China Eastern AirlinesChinaHEFAR&D 
22/04/2013

​US DoE announces Four Pilot Projects for Military Drop-in Biofuels Development

As part of Obama Administration’s energy strategy, US Department of Energy announced it granted $18 million to four pilot-scale biorefineries that will produce drop-in biofuels meeting military specifications for jet fuel and ship diesel. These projects are part of the efforts to advance biofuels technologies to continue to bring down costs, improve performance and identify effective, non-food feedstocks and processing techniques. Recipients are required to contribute a minimum of 50 percent matching funds for these projects.

The projects selected for negotiation are:

Frontline Bioenergy LLC (up to $4.2 million; Ames, Iowa) to build and integrate an innovative new pilot scale TarFreeGas™ reactor and new gas conditioning processes with an existing Fischer Tropsch (FT) unit capable of producing 1 barrel per day of FT liquids from woody biomass, municipal solid waste and refuse derived fuel.

Cobalt Technologies (up to $2.5 million; Mountain View, California) to operate a pilot-scale integrated biorefinery to convert switchgrass to bio-jet fuel using an alcohol-to-jet process with butanol as an intermediate product.

Mercurius Biorefining, Inc. (up to $4.6 million; Ferndale, Washington) to build and operate a pilot plant that uses an innovative process that converts the cellulosic biomass into non-sugar intermediates, which are further processed into drop-in bio-jet fuel and chemicals.

BioProcess Algae (up to $6.4 million; Shenandoah, Iowa) to evaluate an innovative autotrophic algal growth platform that will produce hydrocarbon fuels meeting military specifications using renewable carbon dioxide, lignocellulosic sugars and waste heat.

Read more

DoEUSABiofuelsR&D 
15/04/2013

​USDA renews the “Farm-to-Fly” agreement to promote renewable fuels in aviation

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack signed with Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood the extension for five years of its agreement to work with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and other partners to help develop a viable biofuel for the aviation industry.
 
The new agreement, which includes partners from the commercial aviation sector, follows the initial 2010-2012 "Farm to Fly" initiative and aims at supporting the target of producing 1 billion gallons of drop in aviation biofuel by 2018 (about 5% of US airlines consumption). It focuses on future goals - such as designating personnel, evaluating current and potential feedstock types and systems, developing multiple feedstock supply chains, developing state and local public-private teams, communicating results, and issuing periodic reports.
 
Through its Regional Research Centers, USDA is funding six regional integrated agricultural projects targeting enhanced rural prosperity and National energy security through the development of regional systems for the sustainable production of advanced biofuels and biobased products. Three of the projects have a focus on the production of aviation fuel:
  • System for Advanced Hardwood Biofuels in the Pacific Northwest (AHB-PNW) led by the University of Washington,
  • Northwest Advanced Renewables Alliance (NARA) led by Washington State University (convertion of waste from logging and thinning operations into butanol, renewable aviation fuel, and other industrial chemicals);
  • Southeast Partnership for Integrated Biomass Supply Systems (IBSS) led by the University of Tennessee (switchgrass and woody biomass to produce butanol and aviation fuel).

Link to USDA press release

USDAUSABiofuelsDeployment 
25/03/2013

​EU proposal to limit crop based biofuels opposed by several EU European Ministers

A majority of EU environment ministers expressed concern over the European Commission’s proposed 5% cap on the inclusion of so-called first-generation biofuels in member states’ renewable energy targets.

Leading the calls during the environment council on March 11 for a weakening of the proposals were a bloc of Central European countries that unofficially dispute the claims that without regulation EU demand for fuels from grain crops like wheat or soy would drive higher food prices and encourage land-grabs in countries producing the monoculture feedstocks.

Ministers in the 11 March energy council expressed doubts over the science behind ILUC, saying it was not robust enough to warrant strong EU regulation, a position defended by industry.

They fear the collapse of the conventional biofuels industry after a number of countries had already begun investing in the feedstock-based fuels before the EU began advocating a move away from them to sources such as cellulosic ethanol or algae, which are viewed as more sustainable.

Read more on Euractiv.com

 

European UnionEuropeBiofuelsCommunication & analysis 
21/03/2013

​NRDC initiates an Aviation Biofuel Sustainability Survey

The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) has just released its inaugural survey that provides analysis focused on airlines that have used, or say they are planning to use, biofuels in their operations. A yearly update of this survey is planned.

The survey consists of a questionnaire which was sent to 22 airlines, over which 12 anwsered. Of those 12, 11 are members of SAFUG.

Two airlines have committed to buy only fuels certified by the RSB. One airline use another certification scheme. Seven airlines reported that that they monitor the lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions of their fuel, two having assessed the potentiel indirect land use change risk.

As the development of aviation biofuels was still in its infancy, the airlines have not been named in the survey but NRDC says it is the first step in an ongoing effort to measure, monitor and communicate on the use of both sustainable biofuels and sustainability certification by airlines.

NRDC concludes that airlines must now commit to applying RSB certification, or another equivalent standard, in their aviation biofuel sourcing.

Link to NRDC survey

Read more on GreenairOnline

 

 

NRDCUSABiofuelsSustainability 
18/03/2013

KLM starts regular transatlantic flights using biofuels

On March 8, Dutch airline KLM initiated the first series of regular intercontinental flights powered by biofuels. The airline will run weekly flights every Thursday until August using a blend made up of 20 per cent used cooking oil derived fuel from Dynamics Fuel and supplied by SkyNRG. The biofuel being used on the flights is the first to be certified by the Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels (RSB). The flights make up a program called ‘Optimal Flight’ that will continue through 2013 and includes research and testing in cooperation with Boeing of air traffic management procedures.

In order to finance the price gap with conventional jet fuel, KLM has launched with SkyNRG the “Corporate Biofuel Program” which provide KLM’s business customers with the opportunity to reduce their carbon footprint. This program initiated with seven corporate partners allows them to compensate for their air travel by contributing to the sustainable fuel cost for a portion of their total flight volume or on specific routes Instead of purchasing carbon credits to offset staff travel.

Ignaas Caryn, Director of Biofuels Strategy at KLM, indicated that KLM was in the process of creating a portfolio of partnerships to develop regional supply chains, including within Europe, covering different feedstock and technology pathways. KLM is looking for a one per cent blending target by 2015, or around 30,000 to 35,000 tons of jet biofuel from sustainable sources.

More on Greenaironline​


KLMThe NetherlandsBiofuelsDeployment 
07/03/2013

​SkyNRG becomes the first jet biofuel supplier to achieve RSB certification

The alternative jet fuel supplier SkyNRG has become the first to offer airlines biofuels that have been certified by the Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels. Dirk Kronemeijer, Managing Director of SkyNRG, said the company was now certified for all steps in the biofuel supply chain process, including separation, blending, and logistics.

The RSB certification system is intended to allow farmers, feedstock processors and biofuel producers to demonstrate that their operations comply with ambitious yet practical safeguards, including, but not limited to, the protection of natural or rare ecosystems, food security, and the respect of human rights to land, water and decent work conditions, and the management of water resources. The system is approved by the European Commission as proof of compliance with the Renewable Energy Directive.

Last week, Dynamic Fuels, a preferred supplier for SkyNRG and KLM, also received RSB certification encompassing its Louisiana plant, where it turns animal fats, greases and vegetable oils into renewable, drop-in fuels. The plant has supplied the used cooking oil that has made up the blended biofuel for many of the commercial flights so far undertaken since ASTM approval.

SkyNRG was launched following the KLM biofuel test flight November 2009. Founding partners are AIR FRANCE KLM Group, North Sea Group and Spring Associates. SkyNRG’s mission is to help create and accelerate development of a market for sustainable jet fuel, in particular through global sourcing and marketing of sustainable jet fuel.

Formerly affiliated to the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland, as from the beginning of this year RSB has been reconstituted as a separate not-for-profit organisation, which will be based in Geneva. Certification services are provided through the RSB Services Foundation. Boeing, through a grant from its Corporate Citizenship Fund, is amongst those providing financial backing for the new entity.

More on Greenaironline​

SkyNRGThe NetherlandsBiofuelsDeployment 
01/03/2013

​NASA begins in-flight research on alternative fuels impacts

NASA has initiated the Alternative Fuel Effects on Contrails and Cruise Emissions (ACCESS) research to study the effects of alternate biofuel on engine performance, emissions and aircraft-generated contrails at altitude. 

It involves flying the NASA DC-8 as high as 40,000 feet while an instrumented NASA Falcon HU-25 aircraft trails behind at distances ranging from 300 feet to more than 10 miles. During the flights, the DC-8's four CFM56 engines will be powered by conventional JP-8 jet fuel, or a 50-50 blend of JP-8 and an alternative fuel of hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids that comes from camelina plants. More than a dozen instruments mounted on the Falcon jet will characterize the soot and gases streaming from the DC-8, monitor the way exhaust plumes change in composition as they mix with air, and investigate the role emissions play in contrail formation.

A 3 weeks flight campaign is scheduled which may be followed by a second one in 2014 with a more extensive set of instruments.

NASA press release​


NASAUSABiofuelsR&D 
01/03/2013

​Rentech ceases its R&D activities in the field of alternative fuels

Rentech announced plans to cease operations at and mothball its research and development Product Demonstration Unit, in Commerce City, CO, and to eliminate all related R&D activities. Rentech will attempt to sell the PDU as well as approximately 450 acres of land in Natchez, MS it acquired for the development of an alternative energy facility.

In a statement released yesterday, Rentech said that its focus on nearer-term profitable growth opportunities is a direct result of the high cost to develop new technologies relative to current energy prices and lack of government incentives and regulations supporting alternative energy, particularly within the United States.
 
Rentech’s technologies include the Rentech-ClearFuels and Rentech-SilvaGas biomass gasification technologies, as well as the Rentech Fischer-Tropsch process, all of which have been successfully demonstrated to produce synthetic and renewable fuels and renewable power.
 
RentechUSAAlternative fuelsR&D 
28/02/2013

Australian aviation biofuels showcased at Avalon​

The Avalon Air Show saw a lively exchange of ideas about aviation biofuels in general and Australia’s opportunities in particular.

The Australian roadmap to aviation biofuels is ambitious. The aspirational targets, established in 2011, called for 5 per cent of aviation fuels from SAF (sustainable aviation fuels) by 2020, representing two commercial-scale plants. And a 50 per cent target for 2050.

The article presents views and activities of expressed during the Air Show by Australian stakeholders involved in the development of alternative fuels for aviation.

Link

 

AustraliaBiofuelsCommunication & analysis 
11/02/2013

​Declaration of cooperation between Spain and the U.S.A. in alternative fuels for aviation

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Spanish Aviation Safety and Security Agency (AESA) have signed a Declaration of Cooperation to promote the development and use of sustainable alternative aviation fuels in the United States and Spain.

The Declaration calls for the U.S. and Spain to exchange ideas, information, skills and techniques, and to collaborate on problems and projects of mutual interest in the development and use of sustainable alternative aviation fuels. The specific areas of cooperation include exchanging information about research results, publications, funded research and development activities.

The parties also will share best practices in alternative jet fuel conversion research, development and deployment. The Declaration also enables the FAA’s Office of Environment and Energy and AESA to explore the possibilities for cooperation in other areas, such as researching the life-cycle effects from alternative fuel emissions on the atmosphere, as well as research leading to reductions in the cost of producing alternative aviation fuels.

FAA Press Release​

FAA, AESASpain, USAAlternative fuelsPolicy 
07/02/2013

​British Airways joins the “Leaders of Sustainable Biofuels”initiative.

The Chief Executive Officers of seven leading European companies investing in advanced biofuels have launched in Brussels a new industry led initiative to speed up the deployment of advanced sustainable biofuels in Europe.
 
The “Leaders of Sustainable Biofuels” initiative is open to:
  • Technology developers of 2nd generation and advanced biofuels (2AGB) who have already been investing in large scale demonstration scale facilities;
  •  Investors in plants (demo or flagship) of 2nd generation and advanced biofuels.

The initial members are Chemtex, British Airways, BTG, Chemrec, Clariant, DONG Energy and UPM-Kymmene. They are committed in developing and investing in innovative advanced and environmentally sound 2nd generation and advanced biofuels industrial systems bringing the technologies into commercial deployment on a global scale.

The seven partners have defined a common strategy based on four key areas: accelerating research and innovation into emerging biofuel technologies, developing worldwide-accepted sustainability certification, establishing funding structures for sustainable biofuels projects and promoting the benefits of 2GAB.

British Airways is currently engaged with Solena Fuels Corporation in the development of a waste-to-liquid fuel facility to supply London Airport with 50 kt of sustainable low carbon fuel per year.

More on Greenaironline.com

The Leaders of Sustainable Biofuels website

British AirwaysEuropeAlternative fuelsDeployment 
05/02/2013

​Initiatives in Brazil to develop hybrid versions of Jatropha with U.S. company SG Biofuels

 
The energy crop company SG Biofuels (SGB) is engaged in the development of new hybrid versions of Jatropha aiming at improving the crop productivity and profitability, two points that turned out to be disappointing in earlier trials with Jatropha. SGB has signed agreements with two large Brazilian companies, for the development of new-generation jatropha hybrids with view to future production of sustainable biojet and biodiesel fuels in the country. These companies are Brazil’s s state-owned agricultural research institution Embrapa and Fiagril, one of the country’s leading biodiesel refiners.
 
Embrapa Agroenergy reported that the first efforts to deploy the crop in Brazil were plagued by a lack of improved cultivars and insufficient technological expertise. SGB estimates that its elite hybrids can produce sustainable crude jatropha oil today for less than $99 per barrel due to a combination of low input costs and increased yields through breeding and biotechnology.
 
SGB had already deployed three research centres in Brazil, known as JMax Knowledge Centers, one of which is a multi-stakeholder initiative involving Airbus, JETBIO, Air BP, TAM Airlines, Bioventures Brasil and the Inter-American Development Bank.
 

 

SG Biofuels, Embrapa, FiagrilBrazil, United StatesJatrophaR&D 
11/01/2013

​USDA Announces Investments in Bioenergy Research and Development

In the frame of President Obama’s strategy to spur innovation of clean bioenergy in the United States and reduce dependence on foreign oil, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced $25 million to fund research and development of next-generation renewable energy and high-value biobased products from a variety of biomass sources.
Four projects have been selected for funding through USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA):

  • Kansas State University (5 M$) to make the oilseed crop camelina a cost-effective biofuel and bioproduct feedstock - Camelina production will be incorporated into a cropping system with wheat-based crop rotations in Montana and Wyoming;
  • Ohio State University (6.5 M$) for an anaerobic digestion system for the production of liquid transportation fuels and electricity from animal manure, agricultural residues, woody biomass and energy crops - the novel anaerobic digestion system will be integrated with partial oxidation and Fisher-Tropsch technologies to produce gasoline;
  • Ceramatec, Inc. (6.5 M$) for the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to infrastructure-compatible renewable diesel, biolubricants, animal feed and biopower - new hybrids of energy sorghum will be developed, and other biomass resources include switchgrass and forestry residues, the biomass will be converted to hydrocarbons using innovative pretreatment, fermentation and electrochemical technologies;
  • USDA-Agricultural Research Service (6.8 M$) to develop an on-the-farm distributed technology for converting forest residues, horse manure, switchgrass and other perennial grasses into biofuels and high-value specialty chemicals - the process will use a patent-pending unit that will mimic the petroleum industry's catalytic cracking process.

Grant recipients are required to contribute a minimum of 20 percent matching funds for research and development projects and 50 percent matching funds for demonstration projects.

Read more

 

USDAUSABiofuelsR&D 
11/01/2013

 

​Introduction of synthetic GTL jet fuel at Doha airport

 

A Qatar Airways Airbus A340-600 flight from Doha to London on Wednesday 9 February marked the introduction of commercial-scale synthetic jet fuel produced in Qatar. The natural gas-to-liquid (GTL) jet fuel, which is blended 50/50 with conventional Jet-A1, is being produced by the Pearl GTL plant, a venture involving Qatar Petroleum and Shell.
 
GTL blend was approved for commercial use in 2009 as part of the Fischer-Tropsch Synthetic Paraffinic Kerosene (FT-SPK). GTL fuel does not provide reductions in lifecycle CO2 emissions but is cleaner burning with almost zero sulphur and lower particulate emissions compared with its petroleum-based equivalent.
 
With its huge reserves of natural gas, Qatar is looking to exploit its position as the GTL capital of the world and Shell has sunk nearly $19 billion into the Pearl GTL project, its largest single global investment. There are expectations that up to one million tonnes of the fuel can be produced annually by Pearl GTL. Shell built the world’s first commercial-scale GTL plant in Bintulu, Malaysia, in 1993 but output of Pearl GTL products is expected to be 10 times greater.
 

 

 

 

Qatar Petroleum, ShellQATARFT-GTLDeployment 
10/01/2013

​Results from NRC's 100% biofuel flight reveal reduction in emissions


Results from the world's first flight powered by 100 percent biofuel that met petroleum fuel specifications without blending were released by the National Research Council of Canada (NRC).
Information collected in-flight on October 29, 2012 and analyzed by a team of National Research Council experts revealed a 50 percent reduction in aerosol emissions when using ReadiJet® biofuel compared to conventional fuel. Additional tests from the static  engine show a significant reduction in particles (up to 25 percent) and in black carbon emissions (up to 49 percent) compared to conventional fuel. These tests also show comparable engine performance, but an improvement of 1.5 percent in specific fuel consumption during the steady state operations.

Press release

National Research CouncilCanadaOils seeds / Catalytic processR&D 
28/12/2012
 
​ANAC signed a development agreement for aviation biofuels

 

The National Civil Aviation Administration (ANAC) has signed a cooperation agreement for the development of Aviation Biofuel, withthe Undersecretariat for Commercial Air Transport (SST), Aerolineas Argentinas and Austral Airlines (ARSA), the Argentina Chamber of Biofuels (CARBIO) , YPF, National Institute of Industrial Technology (INTI) and the National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA).
 
The objective is to form a technical working group that will carry out a feasibility study in order to develop a national project for aviation biofuel. Economic viability, refining and sustainable production of raw materials will in particular be investigated.
 

 

ANAC, SST, Aerolinas Argentinas, Austral Airlines, CARBIO, INTI, INTAArgentinaBiofuelsR&D 
20/12/2012

​

Paradigm BioAviation to build an aviation fuel facility in Illinois
 
Paradigm BioAviation announced plans to build a $120 Million facility in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois, designed to transform municipal solid waste into green electrical power and alternative liquid fuels for the transportation and aviation industries.
In the project’s first phase, a gasification plant to produce Syngas for use in producing electrical power will be built together with a Materials Recovery Facility, which will process recyclables and a pilot gas to liquids plant capable of handling 15 tons of garbage each day. Construction should start in 2014 for an entry into service in 2015. In a second phase a full scale Gas to Liquids plant will be built, which is projected to come online in 2017.
The plant will create over 700 direct, indirect and induced jobs, produce 5 MWhe of green electrical power and 8 million gallons of alternative liquid fuels.
The partners of the project include, together with PBA, the Illinois State University (for feedstock supply analysis, impact studies and quality control), Hensel Phelps Construction company (for design and construction), Florida and Southern Research Institute (for gasification equipment and gas to liquid technology).
 
Paradigm BioAviationUSAFT-WTLDeployment 
19/12/2012

​Neste Oil to produce renewable aviation fuel as part of the EU-funded ITAKA project

Neste Oil will produce a total of 4,000 tons of NExBTL renewable aviation fuel as part of the ITAKA (Initiative Towards Sustainable Kerosene for Aviation) project, which has been initiated last November to support the commercialization and use of renewable aviation fuel in Europe. The fuel, processed primarily from sustainably produced Spanish camelina oil, and possibly also used cooking oil, will be certified in accordance with the European Commission-approved RSB certification system.
Rather than aiming for any commercial gain from the project, the members of the consortium will focus on building up common research and test data on the use of renewable aviation fuel, in areas such as logistics and the practical issues related to fueling associated with scheduled flights in Europe.
The 36-month ITAKA project has been granted approx. EUR 10 million of funding under the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Development. In addition to Neste Oil, the consortium is made up of Airbus, BIOTEHGEN, Camelina Company Espanã, CLH, EADS IW, Embraer, EPFL, MMU, SENASA, RE-CORD, and SkyNRG. Neste Oil’s role in the consortium will be to produce the renewable fuel used in the project.
 

 

Neste OilFinlandHEFAR&D 
18/12/2012

​Launch of European ITAKA project to support the use of sustainable biofuels in aviation

Funded by the European Union FP7 program, the ITAKA (Initiative Towards sustainable Kerosene for Aviation) project was launched on 1st November 2012.
ITAKA is a collaborative project that will aim at producing sustainable renewable fuel for aviation and at testing its use in existing logistic systems and in normal flight operations in Europe. The project will contribute to the EU Advanced Biofuels Flight Path program, which aims to speed up the commercialization of aviation biofuels in Europe.
As feedstock, ITAKA targets European camelina oil and used cooking oil, in order to meet a minimum of 60% on greenhouse gas emission saving compared to the fossil jetA1. The project aims to certify the entire supply chain of the renewable aviation fuel, based on the Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels (RSB) standard. In addition, the production and use of camelina as a biofuel feedstock will also be assessed with regards to its contribution to food and feed markets and its potential impact on direct and Indirect Land Use Change (ILUC). The research will also evaluate the economic, social and regulatory implications of the large-scale biofuels utilisation in aviation.
Consortium members include companies and research centres in: feedstock production (BIOTEHGEN and Camelina Company España); renewable fuel production (Neste Oil and RE-CORD); fuel logistics (CLH and SkyNRG); air transport (Airbus, EADS IW UK, Embraer and SENASA); and sustainability assessment (EADS IW France, EPFL and MMU).
 
Senasa; BIOTEHGEN; Camelina Company Esp.; Neste Oil, RE-CORD; CLH, SkyNRG, Airbus, EADS-IW, EmbraerEuropean UnionHEFAR&D 
04/12/2012

​U.S. Steel Canada announces pilot project that will test Pond Biofuels algae technology

U.S. Steel Canada announced Tuesday it will partner with Union Gas and Pond Biofuels to test an innovative system that pulls carbon dioxide directly out of its power station's smoke stack in Nanticoke, Ont., and pipes it to a tank that will grow algae.

Pond Biofuels, a small Canadian company, had already signed a partnership with St. Marys Cement in Ontario, cement manufacturing being on eof the most carbon-intensive industry.

Observers nevertheless object some technical hurdles for the project, in particular due to the lack of natural light over a large part of the year in a northern country such as Canada. Pond Biofuels plans to use high-efficiency LEDs that are powered by solar energy and will reduce the price of electricity to make the operation profitable.

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Pond Biofuels, US Steel CanadaCanadaAlgaeR&D 
30/11/2012

​Progress announced for the British Airways and Solena GreenSky London project

Update from British Airways and Solena about their GreenSky London biofuel plant indicates that the project is getting momentum.
GreenSky London has now signed an exclusive option on a site for the facility and consent work for the site has begun. Barclays has been appointed as advisor to explore the optimal funding through export credit agencies and the consortium providing the facility’s key technology functions has also been announced:
  • Solena Fuels Corporation will provide the gasification process and the overall Integrated Biomass to Liquid;
  • Oxford Catalysts Group/Velocys will supply the Fisher-Tropsch (FT) reactors and catalyst;
  • Fluor provides the engineering and design.
In addition, British Airways has confirmed its commitment to purchasing, at “market competitive” prices, the anticipated 50,000 tonnes of jet fuel produced annually by the GreenSky plant for the next 10 years, which equates to around $500 million at today’s price for conventional jet kerosene.
 
GreenSky London is a flagship project that will see the construction of a state of the art facility that will annually convert approximately 500,000 tonnes of waste normally destined for landfill into 50,000 tonnes of sustainable low carbon jet fuel, 50,000 tonnes of biodiesel, bionaphtha and renewable power.
 
British Airways, SolenaUnited KingdomFT-WTLDeployment 
28/11/2012

​US Senate supports military use of aviation biofuels

US Senate voted an amendment to repeal the section 313 of the annual Defense appropriations bill that was prohibiting DOD from procuring alternative fuels if they cost more than their conventional counterparts.
The Committee-passed annual Defense Authorization bill would have blocked efforts to develop a commercial supply of cost-competitive advanced biofuels as detailed in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Department of Defense (DOD), Department of Energy (DOE), and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The House of Representatives passed similar language to the Section 313 language that offered originally in the Armed Services Committee. Passage of the amendment means that the Senate and House will resolve the differences in the respective Defense appropriations bills through a House-Senate conference, where supporters of military aviation biofuels have vowed an all-out effort.

 

U.S. SenateUSABiofuelsPolicy 
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