A six-partner consortium, led by Saskatchewan-based Targeted Growth Canada (TGC), is planning to demonstrate an emerging bio-fuel produced from camelina in a Porter Airlines Q400 turboprop by early 2012.
The renewable fuel from camelina offers an opportunity to reduce the environmental impact of commercial aviation by significantly reducing carbon lifecycle emissions.
The Bombardier Q400 aircraft is equipped with standard Pratt & Whitney Canada PW150A engines. Sustainable Oils, LLC and Honeywell's UOP will participate in the camelina bio-fuel test program on the Q400 aircraft along with TGC, Bombardier Aerospace, Porter Airlines Inc. and Pratt & Whitney Canada.
TGC will work on crop optimization and growth, Sustainable Oils will pre-refine the camelina oil and Honeywell's UOP will produce the hydro-treated renewable jet (HRJ) bio-fuel from the oils provided.
Funding for the project is being provided by the partners as well as by Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC), an arms-length, not-for-profit corporation created by the Government of Canada and Green Aviation Research & Development Network (GARDN).
Robert Deluce, president and CEO of Porter Airlines, commented:
“It's important for Canadian companies to take leadership roles in developing the next generation of environmentally- friendly business applications. Porter and our consortium partners recognize this, and are encouraged with the progress we're making on bio-fuel for aircraft."
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A six-partner consortium, led by Saskatchewan-based Targeted Growth Canada (TGC), is planning to demonstrate an emerging bio-fuel produced from camelina in a Porter Airlines Q400 turboprop by early 2012. 
