A green technology company has created a jet fuel from algae and announced yesterday that the new product meets vigorous aviation standards. The California-based company, Solazyme, said it's near to creating cost-competitive fuels:
"The end goal is to be at or less than the cost of fossil fuel and my best guess is we'll be at that point within 24 to 36 months," Jonathan Wolfson, the company's chief executive, said [Reuters].
The company's technology uses genetically modified algae, which convert the cellulose from materials like wood chips, switchgrass, or sawdust into oil.
Solazyme had its new fuel tested by an independent company to ensure that its product has the same density, thickness, and freezing point as conventional jet fuels.
"This is not like conventional biodiesel, where you can take french fry grease from McDonald's and turn it into oil in your garage," said [company president] Harrison Dillon.... "Planes will fall ...
