Algae to solve the Pentagon's jet fuel problem

[atpcliff]

Hi!

Previously, I had read that the Air Force wanted ALL their domestic flying to be done with non-carbon based fuel by 2016, but I didn't realize that they were this advanced. Currently, we are forced to use oil-based jet fuel, and we are flying our military assets with fuel that someone else owns and controls...NOT GOOD!

Also, the #1 reason for military deaths in Iraq is fuel. We have to transport MASSIVE quantities of liquid fuel great distances, and the only way to do it on land is by convoy. Convoys, I have read, contribute to the deaths/injuries of about 80% of the casualties in Iraq.

The Pentagon is trying to fix both of the above problems.

Algae to solve the Pentagon's jet fuel problem
US scientists believe they will soon be able to use algae to produce biofuel for the same cost as fossil fuels
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The brains trust of the Pentagon says it is just months away from producing a jet fuel from algae for the same cost as its fossil-fuel equivalent.
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Darpa's research projects have already extracted oil from algal ponds at a cost of $2 per gallon. It is now on track to begin large-scale refining of that oil into jet fuel, at a cost of less than $3 a gallon...


"Darpa has achieved the base goal to date," she said. "Oil from algae is projected at $2 per gallon, headed towards $1 per gallon."
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McQuiston said a larger-scale refining operation, producing 50 million gallons a year, would come on line in 2011 and she was hopeful the costs would drop still further – ensuring that the algae-based fuel would be competitive with fossil fuels.
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Even Exxon – which once notoriously dismissed biofuels as moonshine – invested $600m in research last July.
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...the Environmental Protection Agency declared that algae-based diesel reduced greenhouse gas emissions by more than 50% compared with conventional diesel.
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The US Air Force wants its entire fleet of jet fighters and transport aircraft to test-fly a 50-50 blend of petroleum-based fuel and other sources – including algae – by next year.
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McQuiston said the agency was also looking at how to make dramatic improvements in the photo-voltaic cells that collect solar energy. She said making PV 50% more efficient would create a future when even the smallest devices, such as mobile phones, would be ­powered by their own solar cells.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/feb/13/algae-solve-pentagon-fuel-problem

I am actually shocked that they are so far along. Sometimes government spending works wonders!

It is kind of ironic that Exxon, our premier energy-delivery company, had no interest in biofuels, or in shifting us away from oil. Meanwhile, our horrible Socialist Government's Military was working their asses off to get rid of the national security threat of having to use foreign energy. Our government is working overtime to solve a serious problem, and the for-profit companies in the sector were doing nothing. Kind of backwards!

cliff
NBO

 

[JungleJett]

Wait...we are going to kill algae to fuel the military machine?

There is an algae farm in AZ.

 

[FlickerFade]

We have enough untapped oil resources in California, Alaska, and Colorado to fuel the USAF for decades.

Politicians are putting US lives at risk for their perverse anti-oil ideology.

Drill here, drill now, continue to develop new technology. Please!

 

[atpcliff]

Hi!

FF: The military does not agree with you. They did think think they would have enough fuel, at a low enough cost, from domestic drilling, which is why they have been desperately developing non-oil based fuels for quite some time. I am VERY pleased with their progress, and I am thrilled with how they are using my tax dollars in this area!

cliff
NBO

 

[Oh-ryan]

Has anyone briefed the Sierra Club on this?

 

[Dizel8]

If Algae works, it will be a great day for this nation indeed.

Throw in electric Cars, like the Volt and the Leaf, and it becomes even better.

Of course, if I was Saudi, I'd be a bit worried!

 

[FlickerFade]

I agree too, if algae works? Great!

The reality is the the government is rather suspect in two areas:
1. Their first embrace of an alternative fuel, ethanol, is a waste of crops and money.
2. The military leadership is not above political pandering, and they are bound to support the NCA.

We have an enormous national petroleum reserve. We will be reliant on all forms of petrol for decades........... it's sort of funny to hear the US military (with our great dependence on oil) decry it.........

Algae is a component part (perhaps) of our need for a reliable energy supply. But continuing to reject increasing domestic drilling exposes anyone as politically motivated and unrealistic.

 

[Mamma]

I agree too, if algae works? Great!

The reality is the the government is rather suspect in two areas:
1. Their first embrace of an alternative fuel, ethanol, is a waste of crops and money.
2. The military leadership is not above political pandering, and they are bound to support the NCA.

We have an enormous national petroleum reserve. We will be reliant on all forms of petrol for decades........... it's sort of funny to hear the US military (with our great dependence on oil) decry it.........

Algae is a component part (perhaps) of our need for a reliable energy supply. But continuing to reject increasing domestic drilling exposes anyone as politically motivated and unrealistic.

Well, if the cost estimates are true and they can get the cost per gallon of this biofuel down to $1 with only 50% of the emissions, then I say go for it. We have been flying our planes on this biofuel for a few years now and have had no problems. Imagine the cost of the fuel if we can get it into worldwide production? Countries could "grow" their own fuel instead of being dependent on the unstable middle east or markets for their energy needs. Sure we would still need petroleum for many of our needs, but this seems to be a step in the right direction.