Boeing Throws its Weight Behind Algae (Wired)

[jpak]

http://blog.wired.com/cars/2008/06/aviation-gets-b.html

Boeing has become an algae true believer. The company has joined scientists, academics and industry types in founding the Algal Biomass Organization to "facilitate commercialization and market development of microalgae biomass specifically for biofuels production and greenhouse gas abatement" and put two of its executives on the board.

It's a significant development because Boeing, the world's largest manufacturer of commercial jets, has the money and the muscle to push algal fuels as an alternative to fossil fuels. The company had until now been lukewarm about biofuels, but with the industry reeling from skyrocketing fuel costs - jet fuel topped $150 a barrel last week, a body blow to an industry that uses 5 million barrels of it a day - and increasing pressure to reduce emissions, Boeing is getting serious about algae.

"€œBoeing recognizes that algae biomass holds tremendous potential for use as jet fuel, and it fits into our plan to guide aviation towards commercially viable and sustainable fuel sources," says Boeing's Billy Glover, who co-chairs the ABO steering committee.

The entire air industry is fighting for its life these days, and manufacturers have joined airlines in a mad scramble to find an alternative to fossil fuels. So far, those efforts have been piecemeal. The ABO is meant to bring order to the chaos.

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[madrchsod]

1. if i remember correctly

obama earmarked funds to develop "algae fuels" for the military. algae fuel is the way of the future.

[madokie]

2. I do think it'll have its place