British Airways flies toward biofuel planes

British Airways has taken a big step towards using biofuels in its jets by
starting trials in conjunction with Rolls-Royce.

BA plans to conduct large-scale ground tests of a range of fuels made from
plants next year.

Jonathan Counsell, BA’s head of environment, said the airline would use one of
its jumbo’s engines for extended testing and was talking to Rolls, the
aero-engine maker, about the use of its facilities.

Several airlines, including Virgin Atlantic, have run flight tests with
biofuels in recent years. The fuels’ makers claim they can cut carbon
dioxide emissions by up to 80%. Last week KLM, the Dutch airline, made the
first biofuel-powered test flight with passengers.

Counsell said BA had no plans for flight tests and that the ground tests would
be more valuable. “The tests to date have been short flights but we will run
this engine for extended periods and test every type of operation,” he said.

BA had considered testing before but was stymied by the lack of availability
of sufficient quantities of the new fuels. It will buy up to 240 tonnes of
four kinds of biofuels for its research.

The data generated by the BA tests should help speed the certification of the
fuels for commercial use.

Jennifer Holmgren at Honeywell subsidiary UOP, the American group that made
the fuels used in recent flights, said regulatory approval should come
towards the end of next year.

UOP is in talks with several groups about licensing its technology for
commercial production. Holmgren said production should start within
two-and-a-half years.

Counsell said BA had been sceptical about the potential of biofuels but had
changed its position. “It became apparent that automotive technology was
moving quickly to electric vehicles rather than biofuels, while aviation
would have to rely on this kind of fuel for at least the next 40 years. And
it is clear biofuels can be made that match the performance of conventional
jet fuel,” he said.

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