Did you know that air travel accounts for around 4 percent of the green house gasses produced worldwide? Richard Brandson, boss of the Virgin group that owns Virgin Airlines, rises up among the many green minded businessmen in his efforts to clean his transport business.
Through photosynthesis, plants capture carbon dioxide and sunlight and convert it into oxygen and biomass. That’s how they get algal biomass to use as aviation fuel.
The International Air Transport Association also supports the use of algae fuel in air travel. Moreover, association sets a goal for its members: replacing 10% of their fuel need with alternative fuels by 2017.
Branson, on his part, personally or via his venture company Virgin Green Fund has been investing in biofuel companies such as Solazyme and Gevo. Marc Gunther at greenbiz.com quotes him saying “Algae could be a very good aviation fuel” and comparing en masse algae production with $100 a barrel oil during the Conde Nast Traveler’s get together for the businessmen in tourism.
It does sound to turn about a competitive and clean alternative.
