Boeing Throws its Weight Behind Algae

It looks like Boeing has become a true algae believer. The company has joined a group of scientists, academics, and industry types to form the Algal Biomass Organization (ABO), a group that wants to "facilitate commercialization and market development of microalgae biomass specifically for biofuels production and greenhouse gas abatement." The big news for the aviation industry is that Boeing, which had previously offered only lukewarm support for biofuels, has signed on as a founding member of the association, and placed two company executives on its Board of Directors. 

“Boeing recognizes that algae biomass holds tremendous potential for
use as jet fuel, and it fits into our plan to guide aviation towards
commercially viable and sustainable fuel sources," says Boeing's Billy Glover, who is a co-chair of the ABO's steering committee.

Stung by jet fuel prices that topped $150 a barrel last week, airlines and plane makers have begun to search in earnest for an alternative to petroleum-based energy. But so far, those efforts have been piecemeal. In February, Virgin Atlantic flew a 747 partially fueled by a combination of coconut and babassu oil. KLM recently announced plans to test flights powered with a fuel developed by a company called AlgaeLink, and JetBlue is partnering with Airbus to develop a vegetable oil-algae combo.

By taking such a prominent role in ABO, Boeing seems to be reversing its stance on biofuels. Up to now, it has been aggressively promoting improvements in airframe and engine design as aviation's best shot for reducing reliance on fossil fuels (it markets its 787 as the world's first green airliner), and a company white paper (.pdf) on alt fuel isn't exactly a ringing endorsement:

Presently, it appears that an approach of using a “drop in” jet fuel replacement, which may consist of a kerosene and synthetic fuel blend, will be possible for use in existing and near term aircraft. Future mid-term aircraft may use a bio-jet and synthetic fuel blend in ultra-efficient airplane designs. Future, long-term engines and aircraft in the 50-plus year horizon, may be specifically designed to use a low or zero-carbon fuel.

But now the company seems be fully embracing algae. "In the past two years, we have changed from algae skeptics to proponents," agrees Dave Daggett, the airline's environmental specialist. Boeing knows it needs to do something, with the high price of jet fuel threatening to take a big chunk out of its order book.

It's taken a while, but it looks like Boeing is in the algae game in a major way.

Photo by Flickr user Mark Sadowski