Boeing, Virgin
Atlantic and GE Aviation today will conduct the first commercial aviation
flight using a sustainable fuel from biomass mixed with traditional
kerosene- based jet fuel. The biofuel flight demonstration highlights the
technical feasibility of using biofuels in a commercial jetliner and is a
significant step toward a long-term vision of fully sustainable,
low-carbon-lifecycle fuel solutions for the aviation industry.
The Virgin Atlantic 747-400 -- registration GV-WOW, operating as Flt.
VS811P -- will fly using a biofuel blend composed of babassu oil and
coconut oil provided by Seattle-based Imperium Renewables. These oils are
economically and socially sustainable and can be found in everyday cosmetic
products including lip balm and shaving cream. In addition, the babassu
nuts and coconuts were harvested from existing, mature plantations. No
modifications were made to either the aircraft or its engines to enable the
flight to take place.
"Today marks a biofuel breakthrough for the whole airline industry,"
said Sir Richard Branson, president of Virgin Atlantic. "Virgin Atlantic
and its partners have proved that you can find an alternative to
traditional jet fuel and fly a plane on biofuel. This pioneering flight
will enable those of us who are serious about reducing our carbon emissions
to go on developing the fuels of the future, fuels which will power our
aircraft in the years ahead."
"Today's flight is a continuation of a journey we embarked on last year
with Sir Richard Branson and Virgin Atlantic to identify more sustainable
forms of fuel for the aviation industry," said Marlin Dailey, vice
president of Sales, Europe, Russia and Central Asia, Boeing Commercial
Airplanes. "Change begins with a vision. Following that, innovation and
technologies are essential to proving the feasibility of renewable,
alternative fuel sources for an environmentally progressive future of
aviation."
"The partnership between Virgin Atlantic, Boeing, GE and Imperium
Renewables has advanced our understanding of biofuels for aviation
applications," said GE Aviation Manager of Advanced Combustion Engineering
Dr. Tim Held. "Prior to this historic flight, the engine ground testing
conducted by GE and CFM International required no hardware modifications to
the engine, and the fuels performed as expected."
"A successful flight will not only validate the use of biofuels in
aviation, but also provide a glimpse into the future of all fuels," said
Imperium Renewables President and CEO John Plaza. "Today's biojet fuel
offers higher-quality standards and a more sustainable fuel than
traditional jet fuel. Additionally, it illustrates the potential for
second-generation biojet fuel to be even more viable in the coming years."
In preparation for today's flight, Boeing, GE Aviation and Imperium
Renewables conducted extensive laboratory and static-engine testing to
evaluate the energy and performance properties of the biofuel blend used in
the flight. The Virgin Atlantic flight is the first step in a broader
industrywide technology initiative to commercialize alternative fuel
sources for aviation.
The results of today's biofuel flight will be analyzed by the
collective team and used for research and development of next-generation
biofuels that can help to further reduce carbon emissions. Boeing will use
findings from this flight as a baseline for conducting another biofuel
flight later this year with Air New Zealand.
Babassu oil comes from the nuts of the babassu tree, which is native to
Brazil. In addition to its cosmetic uses, its leaves are used to make roofs
and paper, which in turn is used to create folders, bags and soap boxes.
Coconut oil is used for a variety of applications including oil for
biodiesel used in ground transportation. Most coconut plantations are
mature and don't contribute to deforestation, while coconut farming is also
highly carbon- neutral.
SOURCE Boeing
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