Photo: Joule Unlimited
Fearing the spectre of upcoming restrictions on permissible airline emissions, and barely eeking by under the current allowable levels and internal goals, airlines are beginning to make investments in biofuels.
Sustainable at least in theory, the biggest hurdle preventing widespread conversion to greener energy sources in the industry is the massive amounts of high energy fuel actually required in order to fly commercial planes, complete with passengers and luggage. The United States’ go-to green fuel, corn-derived ethanol, can’t currently provide enough of an environmental benefit to meet emissions goals.
This number crunching on emissions is happening at a time when the number of annual passengers choosing to travel the friendly skies is projected to double over the next two decades. Simply put, something has got to give.
So airlines and other companies within the transportation industry are placing their bets. Here are some of the industry’s highest profile partnerships and investments:
What it is: Diesel and jet fuel created from your household garbage.
Who wants it: United Airlines. The airline recently announced a $30 Million stake in Fulcrum.
What it is: A sustainable biofuel created by microorganisms from carbon dioxide and sunlight. Industrial photosynthesis on an unprecedented scale.
Who wants it: Potentially everyone. Joule has managed to create both ground transportation-friendly ethanol as well as a diesel fuel that could power planes.
What it is: Fuel derived from California’s agricultural industry’s farm waste and animal fats.
Who wants it: United. The company has pledged to power flights between Los Angeles and San Francisco with AltAir, but equipment retrofitting delays have kept the partnership grounded for now. United hopes to begin fueling with AltAir in August.
What it is: A plant aiming to produce jet fuel from 575,000 tons of municipal waste in the UK.
Who wants it: British Airways. The flag carrier airline has committed to gassing their jets up with Solena for the next 11 years; a deal valued at $550 Million at today’s rates.
What it is: A fuel created from Oregon’s wood waste.
Who wants it: FedEx and Southwest Airlines. The shipping company has already committed to phasing 3 million gallons into its trucks.