Biofuels Digest Special Report on Aviation Biofuels: Commercialization outlook

The consistent message from airlines and aircraft manufacturers is that the certification of biofuels for regular commercial flights is in the 2012/13 timeline. Boeing spokesman Terrance Scott said that biofuels could be a regular source for jet fuel with 3-5 years, with algae becoming a common component in 8-10 years.

Billy Glover, director of environmental strategy for Boeing, told the International Herald Tribune 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  director general of the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines, said that, “We have to be realistic about timescales, but two or three years ago it looked 20 years away. Now, I think we are two or three years away.”

Although biofuels have been successfully tested at 50 percent blends, industry guidance is pointing to a 30 percent blend. The consistent view is that drop-in fuels that do not require changes in infrastructure will be the norm.

Meanwhile, aviation analysts are pointing to a shortfall of 140 million tons of fuel (40 billion gallons) between IEA forecasted aviation fuel production, and aviation fuel demand. UOP said that expects to license its fuel technology by mid-2009, and said that commercial aviation flights would be powered by biofuels by 2012. Air New Zealand said they expected their biofuel usage to reach 10 percent by 2013.

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