New Zealand: Firms Secretely Developing Algae Derived Jet Fuel
July 19th, 2007I’ve been wondering what They had in mind for jet aircraft, since even the Eestor thing wouldn’t have the power density required for that application.
Well, now we know.
Look at how trivial the amounts of money are with regard to the financial backing of this company. It’s bum change.
I wonder who the “international cornerstone shareholder” is…
Via: Stuff:
Air New Zealand and airliner manufacturer Boeing are secretly working with Blenheim-based biofuel developer Aquaflow Bionomic Corporation to create the world’s first environmentally friendly aviation fuel, made of wild algae.
If the project pans out the small and relatively new New Zealand company could lead the world in environmentally sustainable aviation fuel.
It’s understood Air NZ is undertaking risk analysis. If everything stacks up it will make an aircraft available on the Tasman to test the biofuel.
The fuel is essentially derived from bacterial pond scum created through the photosynthesis of sunlight and carbon dioxide on nutrient-rich water sources such as sewage ponds.
Air NZ would most likely test the fuel on one engine while normal aviation fuel would drive the other engine. Fuel is held in cells on the aircraft that can be directed to a specific engine.
None of the parties involved will talk about the joint venture development because of confidentiality agreements but whispers about the project were circulating at the roll-out of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner in Seattle in the US last week.
Local Marlborough media reported a visit by Boeing to Aquaflow earlier this year and Boeing has stated publicly since then that it believes algae is the airline fuel of the future.
…
Aquaflow director Vicki Buck said yesterday that she couldn’t talk about any ventures with anyone because to do so would compromise projects on the drawing board.
But she did say a $5 million capital-raising had been successful and the company now had a major international cornerstone shareholder.
The company had also received $90,000 of funding from the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology and would seek further funding for the commercialisation of its technology later this year.
Is that the same Vicki Buck who used to be mayor of Christchurch?