Virgin to test Boeing 747 on biofuel
LONDON – A Virgin Atlantic Boeing 747 is to fly using biofuel on a demonstration flight next month.
Virgin claims it will be the first time that a commercial aircraft has run biofuel in-flight and is part of an initiative by airlines and manufacturer Boeing to discover sources of sustainable aircraft fuel for the future.
The 747 will fly from Heathrow to Amsterdam with no passengers on board, using a “truly sustainable” type of biofuel that does not compete with food and fresh water resources, according to the airline.
The flight, in conjunction with Boeing and engine maker GE Aviation, is part of a drive to reduce the airline’s environmental impact.
Virgin president Sir Richard Branson said, “This breakthrough will help Virgin Atlantic to fly its planes using clean fuel sooner than expected.
“The demonstration flight next month will give us crucial knowledge that we can use to dramatically reduce our carbon footprint.
“Virgin Group pledged to invest all its profits from its transportation companies towards developing clean energy and with this breakthrough we are well down the path to achieving our goals.”
Biofuels – principally ethanol and diesel made from plants – are one of the few viable options for replacing the liquid fuels derived from petroleum that are used in transport, the source of about one quarter of the human race’s greenhouse gas emissions.
However, the BBC reports that while biofuels may play a role in curbing climate change, Britain’s Royal Society claims they may create environmental problems unless implemented with care.
In a new report, the Society suggests current EU and UK policies are not guaranteed to reduce emissions.
It advocates more research into all aspects of biofuel production and use.
The report says the British government should use financial incentives to ensure companies adopt cutting-edge and carbon-efficient technologies.
“Biofuels could play an important role in cutting greenhouse gas emissions from transport, both in Britain and globally,” said Professor John Pickett from Rothamsted Research, who chaired the Royal Society’s study.
“But it would be disastrous if biofuel production made further inroads into biological diversity and natural ecosystems.
“We must not create new environmental or social problems in our efforts to deal with climate change.”
Ian Jarrett
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