Future Fuels - latest issue
Towards sustainable biofuelsThe European Union’s Renewable Energy Directive, which will come into effect by the beginning of 2011, sets the UK a target of 15% renewable energy in the overall energy supply. Meeting these targets will be crucial if the UK is to begin making the difficult transition to a low carbon economy and meet the government’s commitments to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Nick Goodall FEI (pictured), Chief Executive of the Renewable Fuels Agency (RFA), looks at how developments in the alternative fuels sector will help achieve these aims.
A future for biofuels?
The following Q&A with the Shell Future Fuels team is based on a Shell Dialogues web chat that took place on 7 April 2009. Questions were answered by Graeme Sweeney, Executive Vice President, Shell Future Fuels and CO2; Luis Scoffone, Vice President Biofuels and Biodomain, Shell Future Fuels and CO2; Paloma Berenguer, Manager Sustainable Development, Shell Downstream Communications; Angus Gillespie, Vice President CO2 Strategy; and Mike Goosey, Global Manager, Innovation Biodomain.
Algae – challenges and opportunities
Algae promise to be a rich source of biofuels with significant environmental advantages compared to first generation biofuels. However, technical and cost hurdles need to be overcome before widespread commercial scale production is possible. Brian Davis reports.
Biofuels weather international troubles
The global biofuels industry has come through the storm of criticism linking it to last year’s spiking food prices largely intact. Mandatory government targets are keeping consumption of ethanol and biodiesel growing in both the European Union and the US, in turn spurring demand for imports from suppliers in south-east Asia and Latin America, writes Matt Stone, Biofuels Editor, Argus Media Group.
Hybrids – technology and tradeoffs
The burgeoning hybrid vehicle market provides firm evidence of the efforts of the automakers to develop and promote innovative technology as a means to improve fuel economy and reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. This article from Infineum* provides an overview of the current technology and looks at some of the possible implications for future fluid formulations.
Hydrogen – roaring ahead or a damp squib?
The European Union’s ‘Hydrogen Joint Technology Initiative’ was to be the booster rocket for the European hydrogen and fuel cell industry – a €1bn package to support development of the technology and putting it on the market, writes Deirdre Mason.
Struggles for ethanol in Europe
Ethanol production continues to rise in Europe as demand for biofuels is considered vital for energy security and greenhouse gas reduction. However, there are both challenges and opportunities for this green fuel, writes Brian Davis.
Gone with the wind
The Greenbird recently became the fastest ever vehicle to be powered by the wind, reaching a record 126.1 mph in March this year. According to those behind the project, wind power in the transport sector will be the ‘next great frontier’ for the renewables industry. Louise Smith reports.
Innovation key to cutting kerosene dependence
According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), today’s global aircraft fleet is about 65% more fuel-efficient than it was in 1970. Between 1990 and 2000, fuel efficiency improved by 17%. Furthermore, the clean technology of modern aircraft engines has almost eliminated emissions of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons. Given the growth in air travel and concerns about greenhouse gases and upper atmosphere pollution though, this clearly is not going to be enough, and IATA wants a carbon-free aircraft flying by 2050, writes Mark Rowe.
