Neil's Notebook Researching sources in Hawaii for cheaper, alternative jet fuel
August 26, 2008
Congressman Abercrombie has been seeing a variety of efforts in Hawaii that are researching sources of alternative fuels, such as jatropha. The tree produces seeds whose oil is much cheaper and more environmentally friendly than fossil fuel and may be used to make diesel fuel, too. What’s more, the jatropha source appears to produce half the harmful carbon emissions of fossil fuel.
The Los Angeles Times reports (6/5/08) reports that Air New Zealand this fall will test jet fuel, produced from jatropha seeds, on a three-hour flight by a 747 jumbo jet flight that will take off from Auckland. The air carrier has set a goal of using alternative biofuels to meet 10 percent of its needs by 2013. A team of scientists in Kunia, Hawaii at the Hawaii Agriculture Research Center is perfecting a process to convert the jatropha seed oil into jet fuel. Air New Zealand’s two-year study is getting some help from Boeing and Rolls-Royce PLC.
The search for alternative fuel sources is leading to interesting developments. Seeral refineries to convert plant oil into biodiesel for automobiles are under construction in Africa, says the LA times.
Photo: Cutting-edge research at the Hawaii Agriculture Research Center is looking at different uses of the jatropha plant which is seen growing in this field in Kunia near Oahu's Waianae mountain range. (Photo/Diana Muller)
