KLM tests algae-based kerosene for airplane fuel
- added June 5, 2008
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- jefftego
- added this
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Air carrier KLM reported last week their intention to begin testing airplanes that run on an algae-based fuel.
In a pilot program with AlgaeLink, a Netherlands-based global manufacturer of algae growing equipment and “earth-to-engine” technology, KLM expects to conduct test flights this fall. AlgaeLink will also open two plants this year in the Netherlands and Spain.
KLM hopes to have 12 of their Fokker-50 planes (7% of their air fleet) running on the fuel by 2010, with the eventual goal of running their entire fleet of airplanes on fuel made from algae.
The cost of fuel is an increasing burden on the bottom line for airlines all over the world. In 2012 airlines in Europe will be required to pay for their CO2 emissions. At $100 a barrel, algae will then become not only the carbon neutral choice, but the most cost effective one as well.
Other airlines looking into algae as a potential fuel source include JetBlue who, in partnership with Honeywell, Airbus, and International Aero Engines, are developing plans to develop fuels using vegetation and algae-based oils that “do not compete with existing food production or water resources”, according to a report in BusinessWeek.com.
In a pilot program with AlgaeLink, a Netherlands-based global manufacturer of algae growing equipment and “earth-to-engine” technology, KLM expects to conduct test flights this fall. AlgaeLink will also open two plants this year in the Netherlands and Spain.
KLM hopes to have 12 of their Fokker-50 planes (7% of their air fleet) running on the fuel by 2010, with the eventual goal of running their entire fleet of airplanes on fuel made from algae.
The cost of fuel is an increasing burden on the bottom line for airlines all over the world. In 2012 airlines in Europe will be required to pay for their CO2 emissions. At $100 a barrel, algae will then become not only the carbon neutral choice, but the most cost effective one as well.
Other airlines looking into algae as a potential fuel source include JetBlue who, in partnership with Honeywell, Airbus, and International Aero Engines, are developing plans to develop fuels using vegetation and algae-based oils that “do not compete with existing food production or water resources”, according to a report in BusinessWeek.com.
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This is rad. I love KLM!
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- AnemicElitist
- 2 months ago
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Richard Branson throws a babassu nut in front of a Virgin Atlantic Boeing 747, before the world's first commercial biofuel flight to Amsterdam from Heathrow Airport, on Sunday. Nuts picked from Amazon rainforests helped fuel the world's first commercial airliner flight powered by renewable energy.
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If the biofuel is using food crops, or displacing them, it wouldn't be a good thing, but fuel from a source such as algae has the potential to really help ease the burden on the planet from our air travel.
On a side note, I find it hard to believe that 61% of viewers thought that this post wasn't news worthy. From the perspective of someone that loves to travel by air, this is very important. I shudder to think of the carbon I put into the atmosphere when I fly to New Zealand to visit family or just fly somewhere to go on holiday.-
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- covelogibbs
- 2 months ago
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