Shell, BA and Velocys30 Dec 2020 08:32
From Aug 2019...
LONDON (Reuters) - Aeroplanes could be powered by jet fuel made from household rubbish from 2024 under plans by Shell (L:RDSa), British Airways and Velocys (L:VLSV) to build Europe's first large-scale plant to produce jet fuel from domestic and commercial waste.
Aviation accounts for around 2.5% of global carbon dioxide emissions but this is predicted to grow as air travel increases, at a time when nations are seeking to limit emissions to curb climate change.
The aviation industry has a target to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2050 compared with 2005 levels and sees the emergence of lower-carbon biofuels as a vital step to meeting this goal.
Shell, BA and Velocys - who have applied for planning permission for the plant from local authorities in North East Lincolnshire - are targeting domestic or commercial black bag waste that would otherwise end up in landfills or incinerators.
Waste-to-energy is already commonly used in the power sector, where household rubbish such as food or grass cuttings are burnt to create electricity.
"Sustainable fuels can be a game changer for aviation which will help power our aircraft for years to come," said British Airways Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Alex Cruz.