Into a Greener Future of Aviation Industry: EADS and A*STAR’s ICES to Collaborate on Biofuels
Singapore, 04 February 2010
A*STAR’s Institute of Chemical and Engineering Sciences (ICES) is entering into a collaborative project with EADS, a global leader in aerospace and defence, to investigate the conversion of algae oil to kerosene for jet fuel. The agreement has been signed by Dr. PK Wong, Deputy Director (Research) of ICES and Mr. Yann Barbaux, Head of EADS Innovation Works, witnessed by representatives from both parties. This collaboration is a follow up on the Master Research Collaboration Agreement (MRCA) signed by EADS and A*STAR on 20 February 2008.
The objective of this 12 month collaboration is to assess the potential for microalgae to be a renewable source of fuel for aircraft and to investigate the conversion of algae oil to kerosene for use as jet fuel.
Air transportation is a vital contributor to development and to global economic growth. The aviation sector accounts for 2-3 per cent of man-made CO2 emissions, and although this may be a small proportion, EADS recognises that growth in air transportation must be sustainable. So far, fuel burn has been kept down by improving aircraft and engine efficiency and a more radical solution is the use of bio-fuels made from sustainable and renewable sources such as algae.
Plant derived biofuels can be considered as renewable fuel since plants ‘fix’ atmospheric carbon dioxide as they grow, which is then released when the biofuel is combusted. There is no net contribution to greenhouse gas emissions over the long term, unlike the combustion of conventional fossil fuels. However, the area productivity of most of the traditional plants used as bioenergy crops is too low to be a viable source of the feedstock used for making biofuel.
Microalgae are much more efficient than plants at converting solar energy and carbon dioxide into fixed biomass. This brings the possibility of using microalgae in renewable production of hydrocarbon fuels that is not in competition with food production for scarce land resources.
There is significant interest across multiple sectors in the potential of microalgae as an energy source. They have the potential to produce nearly 90,000 litres of oil per hectare per year. Microalgae grow rapidly (doubling in biomass in as little as a few hours), require limited nutrients to thrive, but technological breakthroughs are needed for them to become viable. Some microalgae contain high levels of oil content which can be used as the feedstock for making jet fuel, for example by separation of fatty acids, hydrogenation and hydro-cracking.
Mr. Yann Barbaux, Head of EADS Innovation Works, stated: “As a systems architect of airplanes, it is our responsibility to foster research on biofuels, even if we are not directly involved in the energy business. This collaboration with A*STAR will add the impressive skills, efficiency and determination of the Singaporean research and technology community to our efforts.”
Dr Keith Carpenter, Executive Director of ICES, commented, “I am happy that we can collaborate with EADS on this project. We hope that we can prove to the world that microalgae can be the solution for much cheaper and much more efficient source of fuel that can benefit the aviation industry and make air travel more environmentally sustainable.”
For media enquiries, please contact:
| Hera Adam | Corporate Communications ICES, A*STAR |
Tel.: +65 6796 3894 Fax: +65 6873 4805 mailto: adamhc@scei.a-star.edu.sg |
| Gregor v. Kursell | EADS Technology Media Relations |
Tel.: + 49 89 607 34255 mailto: gregor.kursell@eads.net |
About the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)
The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) is the lead agency for fostering world-class scientific research and talent for a vibrant knowledge-based and innovation-driven Singapore. A*STAR oversees 14 biomedical sciences, and physical sciences and engineering research institutes, and seven consortia & centre, which are located in Biopolis and Fusionopolis, as well as their immediate vicinity.
A*STAR supports Singapore's key economic clusters by providing intellectual, human and industrial capital to its partners in industry. It also supports extramural research in the universities, hospitals, research centres, and with other local and international partners.
A*STAR |
About Institute of Chemical and Engineering Sciences (ICES)
Institute of Chemical and Engineering Sciences (ICES) is a member of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). Established in 2002, its mission is to carry out world class scientific research, to develop novel technology and to nurture creative scientists and engineers to support economic growth in Singapore and to make a positive difference to society. The research area covers chemistry and chemical engineering science, combined with advanced analytical characterisation and measurement to develop state of the art technology for the petrochemical, general chemical, fine chemical and pharmaceutical industries.
Institute of Chemical and Engineering Sciences (ICES) |
About EADS
EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2008, EADS generated revenues of €43.3 billion and employed a workforce of about 118,000. The Group includes Airbus as the leading manufacturer of commercial and also tanker, transport and mission aircraft, Eurocopter as the world's largest helicopter supplier and EADS Astrium, the European leader in space programmes.. The Defence & Security Division is a provider of comprehensive systems solutions and makes EADS the major partner in the Eurofighter consortium as well as a stakeholder in the missile systems provider MBDA.
EADS Innovation Works Singapore is the local research centre within the EADS Group (“EADS Innovation Works”). EADS Innovation Works Singapore manages projects for the EADS business units and EADS Innovation Works while performing its R&T activities in close cooperation with Singaporean scientific and educational institutions.
Stock Quotes
| ||||
 | ||||
 | ||||
 |
