Across The Pacific, Boeing Joins Forces With Hawai'i Bioenergy Looking At Sorghum And Eucalyptus

AeroMexico is flying daily passenger service on its Mexico City to San Jose, Costa Rica route using Green Jet Fuel, a trademarked brand produced using process technology from Honeywell's UOP. The airline says it is one of the first uses of renewable fuels in everyday airplane passenger service.

The move is part of the airline's "Green Flights" project designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Aeromexico-operated Boeing 737-700, which carries up to 124 passengers, will use a 15 percent blend of Green Jet Fuel made from the inedible plant camelina and petroleum-based fuel. Mexican agency Aeropuertos y Servicios Auxiliares (ASA) blends Green Jet Fuel with petroleum-based fuel. The agency has developed its "Flight Plan towards Sustainable Aviation Biofuels in Mexico," program which is focused on identifying and analyzing the elements of the supply chain of aviation biofuels in Mexico.

"This regular commercial route powered by Honeywell Green Jet Fuel is a huge step in establishing the market for aviation biofuels and widespread use of these fuels," said Jim Rekoske, vice president and general manager of Renewable Energy and Chemicals for Honeywell's UOP. "With the addition of this route, Aeromexico and ASA are helping make cleaner air travel from non-fossil sources a reality for everyone." 

Honeywell's UOP process technology produces Green Jet Fuel from natural oils and wastes.  The fuel meets all specifications for flight and, when used in a 50-50 blend with petroleum-derived jet fuel, is a drop-in replacement that requires no changes to the aircraft or engine. According to ASA, the Mexican aviation sector expects biofuels to account for 1 percent of the fuel used in Mexico by 2015 and 15 percent by 2020.

Across the Pacific, a collaborative agreement between Hawai'i BioEnergy and Boeing announced Thursday will look at various crops including sorghum and eucalyptus as potential sources that can be grown locally and converted to jet fuel. The collaboration will also look to assess new supporting technologies for aviation biofuel production. Announced on the eve of the Asia Pacific Economic Conference (APEC) CEO Summit, the memorandum of understanding highlights how the companies will work together to identify biofuel sources and supporting technologies for producing sustainable jet fuel in Hawaii.

"As an Asia Pacific gateway and leading tourism destination, Hawaii can play a meaningful role in helping aviation reduce carbon emissions, while increasing regional energy resources," said Boeing Commercial Airplanes Vice President of Environment and Aviation Policy Billy Glover. "This collaborative effort will allow us to examine potential local options, while protecting the beauty and culture these islands have to offer."

Being an island state with a strong U.S. military presence and a dependency on imported energy, Hawaii's bioenergy development initiatives can help create new regional resources, while providing a boost to the local economy. Hawai'i BioEnergy, which is at the forefront of the development of a biofuels industry in Hawaii, is a leading renewable energy supplier to the Hawaiian Electric Company and well-positioned to co-lead the local aviation biofuel effort.

"We are looking forward to working with Boeing in addressing Hawaii's energy needs, particularly for aviation fuel," said Hawai'i BioEnergy's Chief Operating Officer Joel Matsunaga. "We have the opportunity to shape a more sustainable energy future for our children and generations to come in Hawaii while creating economic growth for the State."

FMI: www.honeywell.com, www.newairplane.com/environment, www.SAFUG.org