Arcadis, a consultancy, engineering and management services company, has been selected to take up the role of principle consultant for a sustainable jet biofuel plant to be developed by Solena Group in partnership with British Airways in Europe.
Arcadis said that it will advise on and manage the delivery of the project, from managing the site selection for the self-contained plant to ensuring that the construction is completed in a cost-effective manner.
The company said that the aviation fuel is produced from plasma gasification of biomass into BioSynGas which is then converted by Fischer Tropsch into biojet fuel. The plant can process all types of biomass and residue feedstock, which will mainly be sourced from local waste management facilities. The process produces no waste products.
US-based Solena is the developer and owner of this technology and is partnering with British Airways on this project.
Robert Do, CEO of Solena Group, said: “We are teaming up with Arcadis on a global basis as they have the skills and people locally to deliver just what we need.”
When complete, the Carbon Reclamation & Conditioning Plant will convert 500,000 tonnes of carbon-based material per year into 16 million gallons of jet fuel. The process offers lifecycle greenhouse gas savings of up to 95% compared to fossil fuel derived kerosene, potentially reducing annual carbon emissions by 145,000 tonnes, the equivalent of taking 48,000 cars off the road. First delivery is scheduled for 2014.
Stephen Didcott, managing director for Arcadis in the UK, said: “The advanced biopower and biofuels processes now being developed will be fundamental in shaping the industrial sector of the future. Projects like this demonstrate that the technology is viable and the end results are extremely desirable and we are proud to be a part of this important development.”
Arcadis is currently working on identifying potential sites for the new facility, which will require approximately 20 acres of land. The site, which needs good transport links and a consistent supply of feedstock, will be in London.
Boris Johnson, mayor of London, said: “I welcome this fantastic new ‘carbon lite’ fuel production facility in London. City Hall has been working with British Airways and Solena to drive this project forward to help untap the massive potential to generate cleaner, less polluting energy from waste, otherwise destined for landfill.”