Boeing Planning to Debut 100% Biofuel Planes by 2030

January 25, 2021

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by Sarah George (edie.net/Eurative) Boeing has already completed one commercial flight using 100% biofuel in 2018 --Boeing Co has unveiled plans to deliver commercial aircraft capable of using 100% biofuel by 2030. Using existing technologies under current regulations, it can only use biofuel blends of up to 50%, EURACTIV’s media partner, edie.net, reports.

Boeing is striving to halve emissions by 2050 and sees biofuels playing a key role in meeting the target

In a statement released late last week, the US-based plane manufacturer said that changes will need to happen across the fields of jet system engineering and global regulation for the new innovation vision to be realised.

On the former, there are currently no jet systems capable of being fuelled by 100% biofuel that are both large enough to support a commercial aircraft and cost-competitive with traditional systems. On the latter, current international fuel specifications permit blends of up to 50% biofuel, with the rest being conventional, fossil-based jet fuel.

Boeing has already completed one commercial flight using 100% biofuel. It used a FedEx 777 Freighter to deliver the pilot project in 2018.

To scale up the technology, it will also need to firm up plans for biofuel sourcing. Potential derivatives include vegetable oil, sugar cane and domestic waste. Each potential source comes with its own safety considerations – and with considerations around the environmental sustainability of the supply chain. Vegetable oil and sugar cane, for example, if unsustainably produced, could exacerbate existing land use issues such as biodiversity loss, soil erosion and food security.

Speaking to Reuters, Boeing’s director of sustainability strategy Sean Newsum said the biofuel planes will help the firm achieve its commitment to halve emissions by 20205. The commitment has been made by all other major global plane makers. Notably, Boeing planes due to enter serve should still be operating through to the early 2050s.

Newsum told reporters that reducing emissions to help tackle climate change is “a tremendous challenge; the challenge of a lifetime”.

Aside from alternative fuels, Boeing is planning to reduce the weight and drag of new aircraft to reduce fuel consumption and, by extension, emissions.

The firm seems to see hydrogen fuels and electric aircraft playing a smaller role in its strategy than some others in the sector. Airbus, for example, is striving to operate commercial hydrogen flights by 2035 and has already unveiled three potential aircraft designs.

The airspace of the future

The announcement from Boeing came shortly after Shell pulled out of a joint venture to develop a low-carbon aviation fuel plant in the UK. Spearheaded by fuel developer Velocys, the waste-to-jet-fuel plant was granted planning permission last year and is also being backed by British Airways. READ MORE

Boeing Wants to Begin Delivering Jets Which Use 100% Biofuel This Decade (Sputnik News)

Boeing says its fleet will be able to fly on 100% biofuel by 2030 (Reuters/Investing.com)

Boeing Commits to Deliver Commercial Airplanes Ready to Fly on 100% Sustainable Fuels (Environment + Energy Leader)

Boeing to prep planes to use 100% sustainable jet fuels by 2030 (Renewables Now)

Boeing to deliver airplanes ready to fly on 100% sustainable fuel (Boeing/Biomass Magazine)

Boeing Commits to Making Airplanes Ready To Fly on 100% Sustainable Fuels (Our Daily Planet)

Boeing commits to ensuring its aircraft can fly on 100 per cent SAF by 2030 (GreenAir Online)

Boeing set to fly with aircraft using sustainable fuels (Biofuels International)

Excerpt from Reuters/Investing.com: Boeing needs to work with groups that set fuel specifications such ASTM International to raise the blending limit to allow expanded use, and then convince aviation regulators globally to certify the planes as safe, Boeing said. READ MORE