US Navy Launches First Biofuel-Powered Aircraft Carriers
The US navy on Wednesday launched its first carrier strike group powered partly by biofuel a mix made from beef fat, calling it a milestone toward easing the military’s reliance on foreign oil.
The maritime branch touted the warships as the centrepiece of its “Great Green Fleet” part of a navy-wide initiative that aims to draw 50% of its power from alternative energy in four years.
For now, the mix fueling the ships is only 10% biofuels and 90% petroleum. The navy originally aimed for a 50-50 ratio, but the cost was too high, though that could change as competition grows in the alternative fuel industry, navy secretary Ray Mabus told reporters.
US Pacific Fleet/Jeff Troutman