Page 30 - AAA JANUARY- FEBRUARY 2013 Online Magazine

YOU SAY I SAY

YOU SAY I SAY

With manufacturers and airlines alike falling over
themselves to convince travellers that they are as green

as they can be, biofuels are getting more exposure
than ever. Replacing nasty, nitrous oxide-laden jet fuel
with sweet-smelling herbi-gas seems to be a favourite
CSR gambit. But do biofuels really bring a greenhouse

advantage to aircraft? The jury is still out...

“Research by scientists and engineers has demonstrated
that OMEGA is an effective way to grow microalgae … and
is being investigated by [NASA scientists] as an alternative
way to produce aviation fuels.”

– NASA

“What this means is that you can use ocean water to grow the algae that will be used
to produce biofuels. And once you can use ocean water, you are no longer limited by
the constraints associated with fresh water.”

– Professor Stephen Mayfield, University of California, San Diego

“With current technologies, scaling up production of
algal biofuels to meet even 5% of US transportation fuel
needs could create unsustainable demands for energy,
water, and nutrient resources.”

– US National Research Council

“The inflow must equal the outflow if we are to be sustainable. Without this, our
production cycle won’t last decades – or even centuries – and will instead deplete
resources that can’t be renewed and degrade our planet.”

– Professor Peter Pfromm, Kansas State University

What’s your view? Log on to www.asianairlines-airports.com and let us know what you think.

30 ASIAN AIRLINES & AIRPORTS january / february 2013 WWW.ASIANAIRLINES-AIRPORTS.COM