From Forest Floor to Sky
NARA Works to Harness Woody Biomass for Aviation Biofuel
Featuring a broad alliance of private industry and educational institutions, the Northwest Advanced Renewables Alliance (NARA) takes a holistic approach to building a supply chain for aviation biofuel with the goal of increasing efficiency in everything from forestry operations to conversion processes. Using a large variety of feedstocks, from construction waste to forest residues, the project aims to create a sustainable industry to produce aviation biofuels and important co-products.
Education
Education: Engage citizens, meet future workforce needs, enhance science literacy in biofuels, and help people understand how they're going to fit into the new energy economy.
Sustainability Measurement
Sustainability Measurement: Evaluate and assess environmental, social, and economic viability of the overall wood to biofuels supply chain, guiding the project as it goes forward.
Feedstocks
Feedstocks: Take a multi-pronged approach for the development and sustainable production of feedstocks made from wood materials, including forest and mill residues, municipal solid waste, and specialty energy crops.
Conversion
Conversion: Provide a biomass-derived replacement for aviation fuel and other petroleum-derived chemicals in a way that is economically and technologically feasible.
Outreach
Outreach: Serve as a conduit between researchers and community stakeholders, helping to transfer the science and technology of biofuels and important co-products to communities in the Northwest.
NARA's five teams: To meet its mission's goals, the Northwest Advanced Renewables Alliance is broken down into five main areas of focus: education , sustainability measurement , feedstocks , conversion , and outreach
Upcoming Event
Managing the Woody Biomass Supply Chain Impact on Your Business
April 11-13, 2012 Event information and registration
865 million
gallons of jet fuel used annually by Pacific Northwest, commercial and military aircraft
One billion
expected yearly increase of gallons used within the next 20 years by Pacific Northwest aircraft
47%
increase in jet fuel costs from last year (June 2011)