Blatant Reality

EADS, an aeronautics company, is looking into algae-based biofuels and will highlight their technology at the ILA 2010 Berlin Airshow.

3rd generation biofuel: more efficiency and less CO2
EADS sees algae as a promising source of sustainable jet fuel. Biofuels from algae offer the potential of sufficient life-cycle carbon-dioxide reductions to eventually replace petroleum-based jet fuel. In the long term, microalgae can be produced in sufficiently large quantities in closed bioreactors without competing with food production for land and water. Biofuel based on algae is expected to be more efficient than fuel from fossil sources. It is free from NOX nitrogen and sulphur and as algae needs CO2 for growth, it reduces the carbon footprint of air transport.

EADS research shows that all necessary technologies to develop the production of biofuel from algae are known, but to achieve economies of scale in the production of algae fuel industrial requires further development. EADS is working with partners on a pilot project to develop the necessary industrial infrastructure.

EADS Innovation Works showcases biofuel made from algae by exhibiting a containerized photo-bioreactor made by IGV GmbH as an example for advanced algae cultivation system. Another exhibit explains the process chain from live algae fed with carbon dioxide through harvesting, drying, oil extraction and refining to the biofuel used by future aircraft.