Jet fuel plans give boost to green energy
PLANS by British Airways to build an eco-friendly jet fuel plant by 2014 have been welcomed as a huge step forward by Tees Valley green chiefs.
According to reports, the East London plant will make enough jet fuel from food and industrial bio-waste to power all of the carrier's flights from London City airport more than twice over.
John Barton, projects director with Renew on Teesside, said it could help pave the way for energy-from-waste projects closer to home.
“This project will prove to the investor community this technology is a good bet,” he said.
“There are energy from waste projects in the pipeline for Teesside.”
A similar project to the BA announcement is planned for Teesside. The Integrated Biomass to Syngas (IBS) project, which plans to harness pyrolysis technology to produce a synthetic gas, is currently trying to attract funding. The IBS project would turn food and plant waste into biodiesel and other essential everyday products.
A partnership including the North East Process Industry Cluster (NEPIC) is actively involved in helping to develop the technology.
Peter Harrison was involved in helping to bring the project to market.
“Teesside would be a good place for this,” he said, “energy from waste has good potential. A real opportunity lies in making the best use of our waste materials.”
Food, farming and forestry waste will be the feedstock for the British Airways project. US renewable energy firm Solena will build the plant, creating up to 1,200 jobs. It’s believed some 500,000 tonnes will be converted annually into 16 million gallons of green jet fuel, however it will only account for two per cent of Heathrow flights. The process will help reduce methane, one of the most hazardous greenhouse gases.
The BA Solena project will help tackle the UK’s rubbish mountain by helping to divert huge amounts of waste from landfill. The North East Sustainable Resources Board, the first of its kind outside London, launched last month. Part of the region’s bid to lead the UK in waste reduction, the board brings public and private sector interests together to co-ordinate the region’s waste management industry and bolster investment.
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