Boeing sees the US military’s ambitious biofuel target of 50% usage by 2016 as a positive for the aviation industry and not a threat. Addressing media at last month’s Farnborough Airshow in the UK, MD-Environmental Strategy Billy Glover told this newsletter that the US military is a valuable cornerstone partner.
Some have expressed concern that with a 50% target driven more by strategic goals than environmental ones, the supply of biofuel for commercial aviation would be constrained, with the industry not getting credit for its pioneering work in the field. While conceding that the US Air Force and US Navy biofuel targets are ambitious, Glover said the biofuel processing industry needs the military as “an anchor tenant” to lower the risk for producers. “The target is very aggressive but it sends a message that they are serious about biofuel. Producers [should] see this as a golden goose.”
The Navy's ambitious goals go well beyond fueling its aircraft through a partnership with the Dept. of Agriculture in an initiative to convert the naval fleet to biofuel, reducing dependence on foreign oil as well as greatly lowering reliance on fossil fuels for ground installations and transport.
Responding to a further question on the role of governments in regulating the biofuel industry, Glover said governments should and will get involved in distribution. “Eventually governments must get involved but we must get through the deployment phase of biofuels. We are working with the Chinese government to regulate the industry and they see it as a high priority,” he said. He explained that there will be different approaches around the world with lots of room for variation. On the “around the world” theme, he said Boeing is participating in a variety of regional biofuel projects across the globe with "very strong investment that gives us a lot of confidence."
He is not, however, bullish on the possibility that aviation biofuels will be in broad use by 2020, estimating that airlines will source only around 2% of their requirements from biofuels. He is far more upbeat about 2050, suggesting “a large amount" will be in use. There is, of course, a qualifying factor to investment; “As we emerge from the financial crisis, investment should increase,” he said.
Reflecting on the progress of biofuels, he added: “Five years ago, drop-in biofuel for aviation was impossible. Four years ago it was unlikely. Three years ago we thought maybe there's something here but now we've got through most of the technical barriers. We are really ahead of where anybody could have predicted."
ไม่มีความคิดเห็น:
แสดงความคิดเห็น