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Boeing, SAA Launch Sustainable Aviation Biofuel Effort
By Boeing | October 14, 2013 Boeing and South African Airways have announced that they will work together to develop and implement a sustainable aviation biofuel supply chain in Southern Africa, a first for the continent. The companies signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for sustainable aviation biofuel supply chain development at The Corporate Council on Africa’s 9th Biennial U.S.-Africa Business, attended by executives from leading U.S. and African firms and government representatives from several countries. This collaboration between Boeing and SAA is part of the companies’ broader efforts to support environmental sustainability for the airline’s operations and the commercial aviation industry overall, in addition to advancing South Africa’s social and economic development. “South African Airways is taking the lead in Africa on sustainable aviation fuels and, by setting a best practice example, can positively shape aviation biofuel efforts in the region,” said Ian Cruickshank, SAA head of group environmental affairs. “By working with Boeing’s sustainable aviation biofuel team, which has a history of successful partnerships to move lower-carbon biofuels closer to commercialization, we will apply the best global technology to meet the unique conditions of Southern Africa, diversify our energy sources and create new opportunities for the people of South Africa.” Boeing has collaborated extensively with airlines, research institutions, governments and other stakeholders to develop road maps for biofuel supply chains in several countries and regions, including the United States, China, Australia and Brazil. The aerospace company’s plan to work with SAA is the first such project in Africa. “Sustainable aviation biofuel will play a central role in reducing commercial aviation’s carbon emissions over the long term, and we see tremendous potential for these fuels in Africa,” said Julie Felgar, managing director of environmental strategy and integration, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “Boeing and South African Airways are committed to investigating feedstocks and pathways that comply with strict sustainability guidelines and can have a positive impact on South Africa’s development.” Flight tests show that biofuel, which is derived from organic sources such as plants or algae, performs as well as or better than petroleum-based jet fuel. When produced in sustainable ways, biofuel contributes far less to global climate change than traditional fuels because carbon dioxide is pulled out of the atmosphere by a growing plant-based feedstock. Boeing and SAA believe that new developments in technology will enable the conversion of biomass into jet fuel in a more sustainable manner without competing with other sectors for food and water resources. The World Wildlife Fund-South Africa will monitor and ensure compliance to sustainability principles that would ensure that fuel is sustainable and would lead to genuine carbon reductions. Aviation biofuel refined to required standards has been approved for a blend of up to 50 percent with traditional jet fuel. Globally, more than 1,500 passenger flights using biofuel have been flown since the fuel was approved. Continue reading
Calculator Estimates Biomass Potential
Matthew Weaver Published: October 10. 2013 Matthew Weaver/Capital Press University of Washington research scientist and engineer Luke Rogers demonstrates use of the biomass calculator during a workshop Oct. 9 in Spokane. A biomass calculator is designed to help determine the amount of woody biomass available for potential biofuel development. University of Washington research scientist and engineer Luke Rogers says the tool helps determine the viability of bringing in a biofuel facility. The tool also indicates that the U.S. Forest Service needs to step up forest health efforts if they are to have an impact. SPOKANE — A new calculator can be used to estimate the amount of biomass materials available on forest lands. University of Washington research scientist and engineer Luke Rogers developed the calculator as part of the Washington Forest Biomass Supply Assessment in 2012. The calculator determines the amount of material that would be left over after a commercial timber harvest, Rogers said. That material is typically left behind or burned. Potential users include investors interested in building a new biomass facility or infrastructure like chippers to remove material from the forest land, policy makers supporting legislation to help the biomass industry and the DNR. The calculator shows that if the U.S. Forest Service doubles or triples its current program to treat federal forest lands in Washington, it could “substantially resolve” the majority of forest health issues on eligible lands by 2025 or 2030, Rogers said. “The existing program of treating about 6,000 acres a year doesn’t ever get us to the point where we’ve tackled the majority of forest health issues,” he said. “There needs to be some more aggressive treatments going on in order to get us there any time soon.” The calculator is meant for a watershed scale or larger. It has less use for private landowners, Rogers said, because it’s impossible to model individual landowners and their specific operations. But the tool could be useful to a group of landowners interested in developing a new industry on a countywide or watershed-wide basis. Rogers said landowners could compare the cost of the current practice of burning slash piles, including obtaining air quality permits, to bringing in somebody to take the material to a biofuel facility. “Even if you had to pay to have somebody come in and do that, and it was less than you’re paying now to get your air quality permits and pay to burn, that would be a win as well,” Rogers said. “There is a real opportunity for landowners to be able to change the way they do business and provide a product, rather than carbon into the atmosphere and smoke.” He sees the calculator as a good start toward understanding the floor-source biomass available in Washington. Future companion tools could be expanded to hardwood biofuels, such as planting short-rotation poplars, and all agricultural, municipal or construction wastes as feedstock for biofuels. Online http://wabiomass.cfr.washington.edu – See more at: http://www.capitalpress.com/article/20131010/ARTICLE/131019987#sthash.W6RmmWse.dpuf Continue reading
EIA Updates Forecasts Of Wood, Waste Biomass Energy Consumption
Taylor Scott International News Taylor Scott International Taylor Scott International, Taylor Scott Continue reading
