[lbo-talk] Prospects for algae biofuels?

[John Thornton]

Gar Lipow wrote:
> On Mon, Jan 12, 2009 at 4:55 PM, John Thornton <jthorn65 at sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>   
>> Did Vertigrow Energy provide the fuel for the jet?
>>     
>
> No, but honestly the key is that sustainable jet fuel is not the
> point. The main thing has to be using energy more efficientl, or (to
> the extent that fails) use less energy. The second point is, to the
> extent possible substitute renewable electricity and solar heat for
> fuel use.  In terms of jets. Something to remember is that fuel use is
> not the main greenhouse gas emitted by jet planes. Water vapor is.
> Yes, yes I know water vapor is normally nut stuff a feedback, not a
> forcing .But that applies only at ground level. Once you get to the
> top of the troposphere and the bottom of the stratosphere, the air is
> nowhere near saturation. Water vapor emitted from jet planes, as
> opposed to that emitted at the ground stays for significant time. It
> is a forcing not a feedback. Water vapor from jets is responsible for
> at least twice the emissions of the fossil fuel used to power the
> plane. If you want to cut emissions from planes:
>
> 1) Reduce total number of flights
> 2) Move as many flights as possible from summer to winter and from day to night
> 3) Fly lower and slower
>
> The last will INCREASE fuel burned, but will reduce vapor trails.
>
> Bottom line: Airplanes are one area we don't have technical solutions,
> at least not in the sense that we can continue to fly as much and as
> fast as we do today. Even truly sustainable fuel would not change
> that. We don't even has technical solutions on the horizon (unless you
> count flying lower, slower and less as a technical solution). For
> example, electrically generated hydrogen - aside from all sorts of
> practical difficulties - doubles or triples the water vapor.  That
> applies to any technical solution you care to mention.

I considered those two separate issue.
The desirability/sustainability of jet flight as a means of 
transportation and the ability to cost effectively and sustainably 
provide plant oil based fuels from different algaes engineered for 
specific fuels.
My question was concerning only the latter.

John Thornton