FLYING ON ALGAE

Algae-Based Fule Powers Test Flight by Continental
Jim Efstathiou Jr. and Mary Jane Credeur, January 7, 2009 (Bloomberg News)

“ Continental Airlines Inc. conducted a demonstration flight today using biofuel, the first such test in the U.S. with a commercial jet…A fuel blend made from algae and jatropha scrub plants powered the unmodified twin-engine Boeing Co. 737-800…

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“ The test…is a step toward the International Air Transport Association’s goal of having member carriers use 10 percent alternative fuels by 2017 to reduce global warming. The European Union will cap airline carbon-dioxide emissions beginning in 2012…Aviation accounts for about 2 percent of global CO2 emissions…

“U.S. carriers are testing alternative fuels after prices for traditional jet kerosene, which is derived from crude oil, surged to a record $4.36 a gallon in July…

“Airline trials with biofuels began in February…Continental is the first to use the jatropha-algae mix. The plants are attractive as a fuel source because they don’t reduce stocks of food crops or contribute to deforestation…They were essentially getting more thrust from the biofuel-powered engine using a lower amount of fuel than from the regular engine…”