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Honeywell's UOP and Coalition of Visionary Airlines Join World's First
Global Algae Trade Association to Advocate Development of Sustainable Fuel
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UOP, Boeing, Air New Zealand, Continental and Virgin Atlantic Airways to help commercialize algae-based biofuels
UOP, a biofuel technology developer and a Honeywell company, along with
leading global air carriers Air New Zealand, Continental and Virgin Atlantic
Airways will be the first wave of aviation-related members to join the newly
formed Algal Biomass Organization (ABO). Together with Boeing, which co-chairs
the ABO, the airlines are advocating for the identification and acceleration of
new generations of fuel sources for the industry that have lower life cycle
carbon emissions; in this case sustainable algae-based biofuels.
"The use of algae and other second generation feedstocks is absolutely
necessary to achieve long-term, sustainable biofuels," said Jennifer
Holmgren, director of UOP Renewable Energy and Chemicals. "The efforts of
companies like Boeing, Air New Zealand, Continental and Virgin Atlantic Airways
will help to bring the focus and effort that is needed to ultimately make these
resources a commercial reality."
Boeing and leading airlines are stepping forward to help commercialize
sustainable, next-generation biofuels for use in commercial jetliners, with
algae being one of the plant-based fuel sources being explored. UOP, Air New
Zealand, Continental, Virgin Atlantic and Boeing will work together through the
ABO to generate more sustainable fuel options by pushing for long-term
innovation and investment in algae as an energy form.
"There is significant interest across multiple sectors in the potential of
algae as an energy source and nowhere is that more evident than in
aviation," said Billy Glover, ABO co-chair and managing director of
Environmental Strategy for Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "Air transportation
is a vital contributor to global economic prosperity, but is being threatened
by record rises in fuel costs. Together we recognize that algae have the
potential to help offset those fuel costs, while also contributing to improved
environmental performance for the aviation industry."
With a portfolio approach to sustainable biofuels likely necessary, multiple
biomass sources including algae, jatropha, halophytes and others are being
evaluated against stringent sustainability criteria including non-competition
with food, fresh water or land-use resources. The group's involvement in the
ABO highlights the aviation industry's move toward identification, development
and certification of advanced generation fuel sources. Working with refining
segment leaders like UOP will help ensure that advanced generation biofuels can
be produced in the most sustainable and energy efficient manner possible.
To effectively address a high volume of claims being made regarding algae and
its potential, 400 leading global algae experts established the Algal Biomass
Organization to advocate for viable algae markets and technologies. Unlike
other second-generation biofuel options, algae will require technological
breakthroughs to become viable and the ABO will provide a single, collective
voice regarding ongoing efforts.
Algae have shown significant potential to address some of the world's most
pressing issues, such as climate and pollution concerns including carbon
emission reductions, alternative fuel sources and global economic development.
As one of the fastest growing and most productive plants in the world, the
unique characteristics of algae enable them to be developed for a number of
uses:
 | Renewable Fuels: Algae are an ideal low cost, renewable and
environmentally progressive raw material that can be converted into biofuels.
They can grow rapidly (doubling in biomass in as little as a few hours),
require limited nutrients, and can annually deliver up to 2,000-5,000 gallons
of fuel per acre of non-arable land.
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 | Environment: Algae do not require fresh water to thrive and so they
will not compete for limited supplies of fresh water. In addition, they can
also be used to clean wastewater and to recycle greenhouse gases such as CO2,
NOx and SOx. As the algae grow, they can be harvested and converted to
next-generation biofuels.
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 | Economic Development: As developing nations continue to look for
ways to spur economic development, algae-based industries can be a central part
of an overall strategy. Many developing nations currently import nearly 100
percent of their fuel. An algae-based energy strategy provides a way to either
reduce oil import costs, create fuel/feedstock export revenue, or both without
competing with food crops.
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For more information about the ABO visit www.algalbiomass.org.
For more information about UOP visit www.uop.com.
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