Aug 9 2010
BA (British Airways) is all prepared for becoming the first airline for buying jet fuel from a waste-to-biofuels conversion plant located in east London. The airline is anticipated to scale up this project, if found successful. BA is one among scores of other European airline companies preparing themselves for the launch of the emissions trading scheme of the European Union.
Under the scheme, carriers will be charged for their CO2 emissions for all flights coming in and going out of the region. By 2012, this scheme will start taxing aviation emissions. For this purpose, BA has teamed up with Solena, a U.S. company, which is constructing a plant valued at $300 million in London. The construction of this plant is expected to start by 2012 and is likely to commence operation by 2014.
BA has already agreed to purchase its annual biosyngas production that is anticipated to be equivalent to biofuel in the quantity of 60.5 million litres. For powering its operations, the plant will produce electricity, with a part of it being sold to a petrochemical feedstock and the national power grid. The Solena technology produces jet fuel through its Fischer-Tropsch process. This biofuel could be costing more when compared with the conventional jet fuel, while containing 95% fewer greenhouse gases.
Source: http://www.britishairways.com/