X Prize for aviation biofuels: “The race to refuel American aviation is on,” Transportation Secretary says

In Washington, US Transportation Secretary Mary Peters announced that the X Prize Foundation had been selected to develop incentives leading to a breakthrough strategy in renewable aviation fuels. “The race to refuel American aviation is on,” the Secretary said, “and our hope is that the X PRIZE will jump-start investment and spur innovation. It will be a competition that everyone wins, because a breakthrough in alternative jet fuels is a potential game-changer that could bring lower airline fuel costs, greater U.S. energy independence, and cleaner air.”

The prize was developed as part of the FAA’s NextGen project, which among its goals will limit the environmental impact of an expected doubling of air traffic capacity by 2025. The X PRIZE Foundation will work with members of the FAA’s Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuel Initiative (CAAFI), among others, and will deliver a report by summer 2009 identifying a prize structure and sponsors. The X Prize Foundation established and awarded the $10 million Ansari X Prize for suborbital spaceflight.

Meanwhile, the International Herald Tribune published a concise summary of progress in aviation biofuels development. Bill Glover, director of environmental strategy for Boeing, told the IHT that “Only about 5 percent of a barrel of oil is a candidate for commercial aviation fuel. Up to 40 percent of a barrel of plant oil can be converted into aviation jet fuel. So the chemistry is closer to what we need.” The article summarizes the current focus on algae, halophytes and jatropha.

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