Boeing, Yale University conduct jatropha sustainability study
Boeing issued research conducted by Yale University’s School of Environmental Studies that showed significant potential for jatropha-based aviation fuel. The study showed that, if cultivated properly, jatropha could deliver strong environmental and socioeconomic benefits in Latin America while reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by up to 60 percent compared to petroleum jet fuel.
The Yale study, conducted from 2008-‘10 and funded by Boeing, used sustainability criteria developed by the Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels to determine actual farming conditions in Latin America. Specifically, the study focused on the comparison of life cycle GHG emissions from synthetic paraffinic kerosene produced as a jet fuel substitute from jatropha cultivated in Brazil against a reference scenario of conventional jet fuel. Additionally, the Yale team conducted extensive interviews with jatropha farmers and used field measurements to develop comprehensive sustainability analysis of actual projects. The peer-reviewed data is applicable to similar conditions in Mexico and provides guidance to Brazilian efforts to develop a commercial aviation biofuels market.
“The invaluable insights provided by this study will help our airline customers to better understand the sustainability of this potential jet fuel source, while also providing solid scientific data to governments and environmental organizations throughout the region,” said Michael Hurd, commercial airplanes director of environmental strategy for Boeing.
Jatropha projects that were analyzed as part of the study included actual small- and large-scale farms ranging from less than 10 hectares to more than several thousand. Yale researchers used a robust analytical framework to compare land conditions before and after jatropha cultivation.
A key study finding identifies prior land use as the most important factor driving GHG benefits of jatropha-based jet fuel. If jatropha is planted on land previously covered in forest, shrubs or native grasses, the benefits may disappear altogether. If the crop is planted on land that was already cleared or degraded, then additional carbon is stored and emissions reductions could exceed the 60 percent threshold. The research highlighted that developers should pay attention to prior land use when deciding where to locate jatropha projects.
A second finding in the study determined that early jatropha projects suffered from a lack of developed seed strains, which adversely affects yield. Additional sensitivities were also explored, including changes in yield, exclusion of irrigation, shortened supply chains and alternative allocation methodologies, according to Rob Bailis, assistant professor at Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies and lead researcher on the study.
“Our team identified dozens of jatropha farmers willing to participate in our research, despite some challenges many encountered with this new crop,” Bailis said. “For most, this was the first time anyone had studied their efforts. Working with them allowed us to collect detailed data needed to build a comprehensive picture, including both positive and negative aspects. Research like this is vital to helping developers deliver better social, environmental and economic sustainability outcomes from jatropha cultivation.”
7 Responses
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Keischa
2011-05-04
2Wow, your post makes mine look feelbe. More power to you!
vernie d. fortes
2011-04-06
3hi, im from the philippines and i would like to know why nobody is paying attention to the use of jatropha oil in raw form to be used as fuel for mechanical dryer for rice and corn and boilers for industrial use. while they are at it, why not include as fuel for domestic stoves in lieu of kerosene or lpg. it is a well known fact that landslides, floods in third world countries like ours are victims of these calamities due to denudation of our forest lands which is compounded by firewood gathering or charcoal making in the rural areas. we can also lessen the respiratory ailments in the rural areas if we use jatropha oil for cooking instead of firewood which impairs our lungs during cooking and adds to the global warming. i hope somebody can help me on this items cause im personnally campaigning for people in the rural areas to plant jatropha not for diesel fuels for cars but for drying grains and cooking in the homes. thanks. vernie d. fortes
Jatrophaworld
2011-04-06
4To learn how Jatropha can become sustainable aviation ad transport fuel, attend 4th 5-day Global Jatropha Hi-tech Integrated Nonfood Biodiesel Farming & Technology Training Programme in India from September 14-18, 2011. At this cutting edge 5-day event, you'll receive exclusive access to information on the latest trends and shifts, and opportunities in the Jatropha Curcas, other nonfood oil value chain...The scientists shall pin point the important factor right from ground zero to biodiesel production. The invaluable insights provided by the top scientists will help you to better understand the sustainability of this potential jet fuel source JWI 11 is a MUST attend programme for all serious Jatropha practitioners, investors, end-users and researchers. JatrophaWorld debunks the hype and features experienced operators and researchers who'd provide real data and actual experience on cultivation, processing, and supplying oil. Global JatrophaWorld India 2011 marks the 4th edition with resounding success. For more details visit www.jatrophabiodiesel.org
Mark H
2011-04-08
5This is of interest to me - I am a user of international flights and this adversely affects my carbon emissions, I am not at ease with this. Currently I am off-setting this by buying trees & supporting small businesses in Africa. This salves my conscience somewhat, but the problem remains... So Jatropha is a possible source for aviation fuel, is this as an additive or as a complete substitution? Also what is the yield in gallons per acre, how much is actually needed to cover the total aviation fuel usage per year? I am concerned that this is one poss. solution for aviation, and like that of carbon offsetting using trees is not a long term solution due to land use and the poss conflicting interests there. Any comments?
Joanne
2011-04-08
6If you want to know more about use of Jatropha and other crops to make jet and aviation fuel, click on the "aviation fuel" category at www.AdvancedBiofuelsUSA.org. Exploring the articles (including many from Biodiesel Magazine) that come up will answer many of your questions. It may also give rise to more. You can read about tests using oil made from jatropha, algae, camilina and other substances. Some tests use a 50/50 mixture of biofuel and petroleum fuel. Sometimes one engine uses just biofuel while the other engine uses petroleum fuel so that comparisons can be made. Very interesting stuff, especially if you are a regular passenger or crew. Replacing the total aviation fuel usage with renewable fuel is a long way off; we have to start somewhere. We are significantly well on the road to transferring to renewable fuels. The US military is eager for us to get there sooner rather than later and have conducted many of these trials.
Kevin A. Parker
2011-04-08
7Mark H, if you go to this site www.safug.org you can see the results of the tests carried out by the aviation industry, Air New Zealand were the only airline which tested a 50-50% mix of Bio-SPK a jet kerosene made from Crude Jatropha Oil. If Yale, or anyone else for that matter, wishes to carry out further tests on the cultivation of jatropha please contact myself as we are about to commence development 10,000ha in Indonesia in cooperation with the local farming communities. They can start their study before we commence land preparation and continue through to production on CJO.
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