The world is moving towards going green on a global scale. Renewable energy sources are in the works as we seek to untie ourselves from dependence on fossil fuels. One proposal to help with this global plan is to use renewable jet fuels to power the aviation industry and Richard Branson’s carbon war room is leading the way.
Advant ages of Renewable Fuels
If we could create renewable fuels, there are far-reaching advantages. One, it would lower the cost of fuel in the long run. If you reduce your dependence on fuels that have to be mined, drilled for or purchased from other countries, that means lower costs passed on to the consumer for these goods.
Two, energy will not ever, theoretically, be in short supply. If it can be regenerated, you can replete your supplies when you need them. In the long run, the cost for this type of fuel will be lower.
But, the trick is to produce them in the first place. Getting your renewable fuels from conception to demonstration to production can be a long road. The Carbon War Room is seeking to get the ball rolling.
What is the Carbon War Room?
This is where it all begins for renewable jet fuels. This operation seeks to bring together the power and funding of entrepreneurs around the world to bring about the solutions needed to lower global emissions. According to statistics on their website, the aviation industry spends hundreds of billions of dollars each year on fuel alone. If that money could be redirected towards sustainable fuel solutions, then environmental change can occur.
This is the vision for the work that is going on in the Carbon War Room. It is made up of three groups: Research and Intelligence, Network Engagement and Active Operations. All work together to identify business solutions to roll out green solutions to environmental situations. If entrepreneurs and companies are given viable market-driven solutions they will back them. And, we can reduce our global carbon footprint.
Hope on the Horizon
The U.S. Navy is bringing hope to the venture of renewable fuels. They are using seawater to make jet fuel when needed. This can give them a strategic advantage in combat. In 2011, the navy refueled their vessels to the tune of 600 million gallons while they were at sea.
Refueling can be dangerous and has many consequences if it goes wrong. If it occurs in the middle of combat then you also have the enemy to contend with.
The Navy has been working on processes make seawater a viable source of renewable jet fuel. Their project also includes how to convert it while on the go as well as storage.
There is far to go in the journey to fund and produce biofuels but the work looks promising.