Boeing Backing Algae as Biofuel
June 10, 2008
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Amid sky high fuel prices, airlines are struggling to turn a profit these days and are quickly becoming enthusiastic latecomers to the search for alternative fuel sources to cut their costs and their carbon footprint.
Boeing, the American aircraft manufacturing giant is throwing is considerable weight behind the use of algae as potential biofuel to power their planes. The company has joined the Algal Biomass Organization, made up primarily of scientists and academics, though other companies are involved as well.
Billy Glover of Boeing said, “Boeing recognizes that algae biomass holds tremendous potential for use as jet fuel, and fits into our plan to guide aviation towards commercially viable and sustainable fuel sources.”
Boeing is not the only one in the aviation industry to look more seriously at biofuels. Other companies, including Virgin Atlantic, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, JetBlue and Boeing’s main rival, Airbus, have all conducted various experiments and found various results. KLM expects to have 50 planes powered by algal fuel flying by 2010.
This marks a shift in strategy for Boeing who up until now has focused primarily on fuel and design efficiency to reduce their carbon footprint. But with Boeing on board, the development and adoption of this alternative fuel should be much faster, though not nearly fast enough.
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