Airliners running on biofuels? Don't hold your breath ... (BBC)

[eppur_se_muova]

Will biofuels power tomorrow's planes?

By Stephen Dowling
BBC News
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{a longish 'Viewpoint' ... cutting to the chase}
Kenneth Richter, Friends of the Earth aviation campaigner, said: "Biofuels are a major distraction in the fight against climate change. There is mounting evidence that the carbon savings from biofuels are negligible.

"If Virgin was really serious about reducing the aviation industry's impact on the environment it would support calls for aircraft emissions to be included in the Climate Change Bill."

Green Party councillor and former chemist Andrew Boswell said: "Richard Branson is making a huge mistake backing biofuels.
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Mr Boswell, who campaigns for the lobby group Biofuel Watch, said it was unsustainable to try and replace transport's share of fossil fuel consumption with biofuels - there is simply not enough arable land to grow fuel crops and food.

Sunday's flight may herald a new direction in aviation. But any massive change in the way we power our planes is unlikely, analysts say, to be just around the corner.
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read the whole article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7259004.stm

ON EDIT: strange cut/paste error in headline

*SIGH* Meant to post in Env/Energy

[gateley]

1. You know, people and companies should be given credit for trying --

I find it kind of irksome that Virgin's step wasn't "good enough".

I've switched all my light bulbs, but I've heard the impact will be negligible. Should I just not have done it?

[eppur_se_muova]

2. The impact will not be neglibile. A few % here, a few there, it adds up.

Biofuels, however, make most sense for local use, not as a direct, plug-in replacement for the petroleum industry.

There are particular problems with jet fuel -- the article mentioned the low-temperature viscosity/freezing problem, which is a biggie. Notice that they substituted biofuel for only 20% of the jet fuel in one of four engines. Rather than being an impressive demo, it seems to emphasize the limitations.

[gateley]

3. My frustration lies in the fact that they did SOMETHING. Maybe not enough,

maybe not the wisest choice, but it was a step in the right direction.

Plus I have a headache tonight and I've been exceptionally snappish. :blush: