Iberia's Biofuel: A Better Balance?

There is an understandable "yawn factor" that is starting to be associated with an airline's announcement that it has conducted an alternative fuel flight. The list of those that have flown is getting so long, it may be worthwhile starting to track who hasn't joined the bandwagon.

That said, hidden in Iberia's announcement today of its first commercial biofuel fueled flight -- between Madrid and Barcelona -- is an interesting tidbit of information about the camelina sativa oil plant used by refiner Repsol as feedstock for the fuel.

Iberia says the plant "enriches the soil in which it is grown." There is much talk in the industry that the feedstock has to be sustainable -- in other words, it can not compete with food supply -- but reality is a feedstock that can grow in arid land, will grow even better in fertile land. That may mean that there will be competition for fertile soil between energy and food producers. That is what makes having a plant that can be used to aid in crop rotation interesting and, perhaps, a way to balance the demands of the two production sectors.

(Credit: Iberia)

As to the flight itself, there is little remarkable about the Iberia outing. One engine was powered by a 50/50 blend of regular fuel and biofuel, with the CO2 reduction estimated at 1,500 kg.

Iberia and Repsol plan to do more work together, but what exactly has not been defined.






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·       Iberia's Airbus A320 needed no modifications to burn the mixture of second-generation biofuel

·       The fuel's characteristics are identical to those of conventional aviation fuel. It contains a 25% proportion of fuel made from camelina sativa, an inedible oil plant. The use of the mixture cuts C02 emissions by nearly 20%

·       Repsol is the maker and distributor of the fuel, which was evaluated and approved by its Technological Center

·       Iberia supplied the aircraft, crew, and all measures needed in the maintenance area

·       The ASA (Airport and Auxiliary Services) company fueled the aircraft

·       The flight is part of the Spain's pioneering "Green Flight" project, and Iberia's strategic plan to fight climate change by taking part in several biofuel projects

·       The project is also part of Repsol corporate responsibility and sustainability program. The Spanish oil company is listed by Dow Jones are one of the most sustainable companies in its field

·       Following the success of this flight, the two companies will consider new initiatives in this area.

Madrid, October 3, 2011

Iberia and Repsol today staged Spain's first commercial flight powered by biofuel. An Iberia Airbus A320 flying from Madrid to Barcelona burned some 2,800 kg. of a mixture of 75% conventional A-1 jet fuel and 25% biofuel derived from the camelina sativa plant. The use of the mixture brought a reduction of nearly 1,500 kg. of C0₂ emissions.

The second-generation biofuels is a mixture made by ASA of synthesized paraffin bio-kerosene produced by Honeywell-UOP and evaluated and certified by Repsol at its Technological Center, which allows an almost 20% reduction in emissions of greenhouse gases.

Camelina sativa is an inedible oil plant that grows widely and can be cultivated in Spain. Unlike other plants used for biofuels, camelina enriches the soil in which it is grown.

Iberia provided the aircraft, crew, handling services, etc. for the test, and used the Peugeot electric ground vehicles it is now testing for airport use. Iberia also supplied the technical and maintenance services at Madrid Barajas airport. Together with the Airbus company and the engine manufacturers it closely monitored the technical and operational certification of this new biofuel.

Repsol produced and delivered the fuel, which was evaluated under high-performance conditions and approved at its research facility. The company has long experience in the development of biofuel at its Technological Center, one of the most advanced of its kind in Europe.

The flight was a part of Spain's pioneering "Green Flight" program to advance in the use of biofuel in aviation. The use of such fuel is called for in Iberia's strategic plan, which contains a number of measures intended to combat climate change.

Iberia's chairman Antonio Vázquez commented that "Iberia is proud to contribute our experience as an airline and an aircraft maintenance company to this initiative. The fight against climate change is one of the greatest challenges we face, and biofuel is essential for reducing our reliance on petroleum, increasing our competitiveness, and achieving the ambitious emissions-reduction targets set by the airline industry". For three years Iberia has been listed by Dow-Jones as one of the world's most environmentally sustainable airlines.

Repsol's downstream division chief Pedro Fernandez Frial said the powered flight “is another step for Repsol in its commitment to sustainable mobility, driving the development of second-generation biofuel”. He added that Repsol's New Energies unit “is contributing to the vision of a more diversified and sustainable energy future". The Spanish oil company's sustainability policies have earned it worldwide recognition, and this year Dow Jones has listed it the world's most transparent and sustainable oil company thanks to its strategy to combat climate change through sustainable refining and the making of clean fuels, among many other measures.

Following the successful flight, the two companies will now consider new initiative allowing them to advance in the research, development and use of biofuel in commercial aviation.