It will be a first-ever feat in commercial air travel… Virgin Atlantic is planning to fly one of its Boeing 747s on biofuel next month.
The Virgin Atlantic 747 will fly from London Heathrow to Amsterdam on a demonstration flight, with no passengers on board, using a truly sustainable type of biofuel that doesn’t compete with food and fresh water resources. The flight, in conjunction with Boeing and engine maker GE Aviation, is part of Virgin Atlantic’s drive to reduce its environmental impact wherever possible. The demonstration forms part of Virgin Atlantic’s vision for what the aviation industry can achieve by using clean-fuel technology to reduce carbon emissions.
Sir Richard Branson, President of Virgin Atlantic, said:
“This breakthrough will help Virgin Atlantic to fly its planes using clean fuel sooner than expected. The demonstration flight next month will give us crucial knowledge that we can use to dramatically reduce our carbon footprint. Virgin Group pledged to invest all its profits from its transportation companies towards developing clean energy and with this breakthrough we are well down the path to achieving our goals.”
Virgin Atlantic has not set an exact date for the flight, but expects to conduct the biofuel run in February.
Minnesota might already be the home of the NFL’s Vikings, but lawmakers in that state are trying to lure some modern-day descendants of the marauders to set up a wind energy research center.
House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher and several other Democrats said they’re considering a package of unspecified incentives – possibly bonding dollars, or tax breaks – to draw Denmark’s Vestas Wind Systems to the state. Vestas, the world’s largest maker of wind turbines, plans to build a U.S. research center, but hasn’t picked a location.
A new biodiesel blending facility located at a petroleum terminal in Aurora, Colorado is seen as key to improving the availability of biodiesel in the area while helping integrate the green fuel into the nation’s petroleum infrastructure.
“Today we are witnessing a renewable energy revolution in our state and in our nation,” said U.S. Senator Ken Salazar (D-CO), who spoke at the opening ceremony. “This revolution is fueled by innovative firms like Magellan and CHS who understand that the production of clean, renewable biofuels not only strengthens America’s national and environmental security, but offers an unprecedented opportunity to spur economic growth and job creation in our rural communities as well. I commend them for their work and urge other firms to follow suit.”
Indiana Corn and Soybean is also working to gain support for a Biofuels special recognition license plate to be made available through the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
According to Greentech (Media), venture firms also continue to invest in biofuels such as cellulosic ethanol and biodiesel, with more than $750 Million directed towards these new feedstocks and technologies. Notable alternative energy VC funding rounds in 2007 included HelioVolt’s $101M for thin film photovoltaics, Great Point’s $100M for coal gasification, Amyris’ $70M for synthetic biology and biofuels, and A123’s $70M for innovative battery technology.
Dakota Wind Energy, LLC, has announced plans to form South Dakota’s first utility scale community-owned wind project. The project has the potential of generating 750 megawatts of energy and will spread over 700 square miles of farmland in Roberts, Marshall, and Day counties. 
Safeway, one of the largest food and drug retailers in the nation, has announced it will fuel its entire U.S. fleet of trucks with 20 percent biodiesel.
“We commend Safeway for showing leadership in true corporate sustainability,” said Joe Jobe, CEO of the National Biodiesel Board. “The company is also reducing its dependence on foreign oil and helping to stimulate a domestic energy economy. We encourage other large retailers to follow this example.”
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2008 is shaping up to be the “Year of E85.” Ethanol Promotion and Information Council Marketing Director Reece Nanfito was at the media preview for the big auto show in Detroit this week where big announcements were made regarding ethanol and ethanol-powered vehicles. 