A study is currently underway to establish a bioport at Brisbane Airport, capable of supplying aircraft with sustainable jet fuel produced from biological sources. The results will be used to ascertain if the production of a renewable jet fuel to replace fossil based jets is feasible.
Various criteria would need to be met for the prospect to become a reality. For a start the biofuel would need to be competitively priced, produced in significant quantities, meet the same technical standards as fossil fuel and be internationally recognised as a sustainable resource. Corporate communications adviser for Virgin Australia, Luke O'Donnell, says: "The greatest challenge is closing the price difference between bio-jet fuel and fossil fuel. Ensuring we pursue the most efficient and cost-effective research and development path will help us make bio-jet fuel commercially viable sooner."
According to Merel Laroy, marketing and sales manager for Dutch company SkyNRG, adds: "The next phase of the bioport will entail selecting the most optimal feedstock and conversion technology combination, working with feedstock and technology players, and undertaking a comprehensive techno-economic due diligence and sustainability analysis. The outcome of this exercise will be the identification of a structured supply chain and a bankable business case to commercialise the opportunity."
In the future, establishing bioports worldwide will be beneficial in reducing the price difference of biofuel: "We are developing bioports at five continents worldwide. The most recent success we obtained was with BioPort Holland," Laroy went on to say.
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Plans for Brisbane bioport
Virgin Australia, SkyNRG and Brisbane Airport Corporation have joined forces to assess if Australia's first 'bioport' could become a reality.
