Short of the advent of quantum singularity seen in the fusion drives of futuristic movies, there is really no renewable energy answer other than liquid biofuels for areas such as long-haul transport, marine shipping and airlines for the foreseeable future, according to University of Alberta bioresource scientist David Bressler.
The biggest holdup, he explained, is the energy density, or force, required for those applications that can’t be met by wind or solar power.
To help ramp up delivery of a renewable jet fuel solution, Navdeep Bains, minister of innovation, science and economic development, announced Western Economic Diversification Canada is investing $1.6 million to help with the $6.2-million project, which also includes funding from Alberta Innovates, private investors and other funding.
With a biofuel research platform dating back to 2003, Bressler’s lab has been the focal point of a push to test and validate renewable jet fuels, which are produced from lipid-to-hydrocarbon technology that converts agricultural waste fats and low-grade oils into fuels and other chemicals.
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Image via University of Alberta.