A jet flight with biofuel
As someone who has spent many years working in the travel industry, it’s very exciting to see an environmental advancement in the airline world that’s not related to carbon offsets.
Via Ecogeek, very exciting news that Virgin Atlantic has performed a test flight in a 747 with 5 percent biofuel. Although the 5 percent seems like a small number, the importance is huge because concerns about biodiesel freezing up at low temperatures of high altitude have slowed the entry of renewables to the airline space.
The fuel is produced by Imperium Renewables, a Seattle-area startup. The Feb. 24 flight used a biofuel composed of babassu oil and and coconut oil. Atlantic President Richard Branson weighed in:
“Today marks a biofuel breakthrough for the whole airline industry. Virgin Atlantic, and its partners, are proving that you can find an alternative to traditional jet fuel and fly a plane on new technology, such as sustainable biofuel. This pioneering flight will enable those of us who are serious about reducing our carbon emissions to go on developing the fuels of the future, fuels which will power our aircraft in the years ahead through sustainable next-generation oils, such as algae.”
Airline travel — and I use it all the time — causes a lot of pollution, in particular carbon. Biofuel produces a lower amount of carbon and would help America become more self-sufficient in its energy needs. Airline travel has been of the toughest challenges so far toward that goal so far. Let’s hope this step brings us closer to that goal — soon.
Who couldn’t use a little more guilt-free travel?
March 4th, 2008 at 9:49 pm
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