Boeing, Honeywell's UOP, Masdar Institute, All Involved In The
Group
Boeing said Monday it is joining with Honeywell's UOP to
commission a study on the sustainability of a leading family of
saltwater-based plant candidates for renewable jet fuel. The study
is being commissioned as part of the Sustainable Aviation Fuel
Users Group consortium. The Masdar Institute of Science and
Technology in Abu Dhabi will lead the study, which will examine the
overall potential for sustainable, large-scale production of
biofuels made from salicornia bigelovii and saltwater mangroves -
plants known as halophytes. Yale University's School of Forestry
& Environmental Studies and UOP will also participate in the
analysis, which will include an assessment of the total carbon
lifecycle of biofuels.
Halophytes can be highly productive sources of biomass energy,
thrive in arid land and can be irrigated with sea water, making
them suitable for biofuel development and Abu Dhabi a viable
location for conducting a lifecycle-analysis study. With improved
plant science and agronomy, early testing results indicate that
halophytes have the potential to deliver very high yields per unit
of land.
"Boeing and the scientific and academic communities are stepping
forward to look at the totality of each renewable fuel source that
can help us reduce carbon emissions," said Billy Glover, managing
director of Environmental Strategy for Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
"By working with Masdar Institute to look at these species in a
formal research framework, we will better know if certain types of
halophytes meet the carbon reduction and socioeconomic criteria
that will allow them to become part of a portfolio of sustainable
biofuel solutions for aviation."
The Government of Abu Dhabi founded the Masdar Institute of
Science and Technology to research and develop alternative energy
and sustainable technologies. Masdar Institute is an independent,
non-profit, research-driven graduate institution established with
the support and cooperation of the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, recognized as one of the world's premier scientific
institutions.
The halophyte study will evaluate aquaculture management and
practices, land use and energy requirements and identify any
potential adverse ecological or social impacts associated with
using halophytes for energy development, specifically for aviation
biofuel development.
"We must continue to evolve biofuels to incorporate feedstocks
that are not only sustainable, but actually regenerative and can
restore the ecosystems where they are found," said Jennifer
Holmgren, general manager of UOP Renewable Energy & Chemicals.
"Global Seawater Inc. has led the development of a promising
solution, and we are excited to be working with this team to
further develop and understand the potential impact of integrated
seawater systems."
A successful outcome of the study will give the Masdar
Initiative an opportunity to expand its portfolio of renewable
energy technologies into biofuels that are sustainable and can be
grown locally, Dr. Sgouris Sgouridis of Masdar Institute said. The
Masdar Initiative aims to create and sustain the world's first
carbon-neutral, zero-waste city, Masdar City, located on the
outskirts of Abu Dhabi.
"Masdar City will have access to important production of locally
grown food and thus reduce its dependence on carbon-intensive
imports," Sgouridis said. "In terms of the United Arab Emirates, it
would provide an additional significant source of biofuels that
would allow the UAE to transition into a less fossil fuel-dependent
economy."
Sustainable biofuel development is a key component of aviation's
strategy for lowering carbon emissions. Potential plant sources
being considered are only ones that don't distort the global
food-chain, compete with fresh water resources or lead to
unintended land use change. To verify data gathered during the
analysis, the halophyte study will be peer-reviewed by third
parties and measured against practices and principles developed by
the Roundtable for Sustainable Biofuels. The results are expected
to be available in late 2010.
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