Jatropha: Biofuel Of The Future

Jatropha is a plant that produces around 40% oil for use in many different ways.  Bio-diesel being one of them and Biomass, to help run electrical plants, another.  This plant, that originated in the Caribbean, has become naturalized in many different countries including Africa, Mexico, India, and North America.  Being a member of the  Euphorbiaceae family, Jatropha contains toxic chemicals making it inedible.  However, that is actually an advantage because when converting this plant into fuel, you are not taking away from food supplies. 

This relatively unknown plant produces more oil than soy or palm oil which are the preferred plants used today.  Estimates of Jatropha seed yield vary widely due to a lack of research data.  What is known about the plant is the genetic diversity of the crop, the range of environments in which it is grown, and Jatropha’s perennial life cycle.  Seed yield under cultivation can range from 1,500 to 2,000 kilograms per hectare, corresponding to extractable oil yields of 540 to 680 litres per hectare (58 to 73 us gallons per acre.

Air New Zealand is planning a  747 jumbo jet flight from Auckland on Dec 3rd, 2008 (local Spring Northern Autumn) with one of the four engines being powered by fuel refined from the seed of the fast-growing Jatropha plant.  The three-hour test flight could mark another promising step for the airline industry to find cheaper and more environmentally friendly alternatives to fossil fuel.  Air New Zealand announced plans to use the new fuel for 10% of its needs by 2013. 

View video of Jatropha Project.