Aircraft to fly on ‘green diesel’?

Boeing has identified “green diesel,” a renewable fuel used in ground transportation, as a significant new source of sustainable aviation biofuel that emits at least 50% less carbon dioxide than fossil fuel over its lifecycle. The company is working with the US Federal Aviation Administration and other stakeholders to gain approval for aircraft to fly on green diesel, further reducing the aviation industry’s carbon emissions. Boeing researchers performed analysis that found green diesel, which is made from oils and fats, to be chemically similar to today’s aviation biofuel. If approved, the fuel could be blended directly with traditional jet fuel. Significant green diesel production capacity already exists in the US, Europe and Singapore that could supply as much as 1% – about 600 million gallons – of global commercial jet fuel demand. The wholesale cost – about $3 a gallon with US government incentives – is competitive with petroleum jet fuel. Boeing, the FAA, engine manufacturers, green diesel producers and others are now compiling a detailed research report that will be submitted to key stakeholders in the fuel approvals process.