14 DAY TRIAL // At times when the US nation seems to rely almost entirely on oil imports, it seems that officials are looking for a greener alternative to replace the massive costs generated by petroleum acquisitions.
In order to reduce costs and improve efficiency, U.S. military is doing its best to increase the productivity of sustainable, eco-friendly sources of power.
Until 2013, three years earlier than planed, the Air Force wants its researchers to come up with a new compound that will be able to replace the traditional, expensive fuel.
In order to do that, scientists are trying to exploit the biofuel's potential. A key role in this activity is played by substances derived from plants and animal fats.
Second challenge for the US military would be to apply these non-polluting solutions to the present infrastructure.
Officials hope that breakthroughs in this field of activity will be able to generate the development of an entire market of premium, earth-friendly, cost-effective fuel.
Despite the fact that green alternatives were at first considered unlikely to decrease costs, it seems that present progress states the contrary. Also, in order to exploit all resources, US Navy Secretary Raymond Mabus affirmed that they are using all the energy they can obtain from various clean sources: wind, solar, geothermal, hydrothermal, and wave power.
Using animal fats might turn out to be the key in developing a very efficient and, at the same time, not very expensive biofuel.
Despite the fact that it should turn out to be more sustainable and economical, the new kind of fuel is expected to show some improvements, while compared with the traditional one.
So far, in trials initiated to test the fuel's efficiency, scientists explored the benefits coming from animal fat, frying oils and camelina, an oil-bearing plant which proved to be drought- and freeze-resistant.
If this breakthrough is able to expand on a large scale, a great number of companies that provide alternative solutions on the market of green power will be able to fill their pockets, due to a important contract with the US Air Force.
“You can’t take a 10-year contract from an American airline to the bank and get the financing that you need,” said James Rekoske, vice-president of Honeywell's UOP unit.
The American Government encourages the usage of camelina, an oil plant, since farmers who plan to grow it will receive incentives.
This innovative strategy of expanding the usage of biofuel on a national scale will cure in time America's petroleum dependency, while also preserving the environment.