Big promises at the Climate Change conference, but what impact on fuel and lubes? Algae based fuel for the US Navy; new fluid power research shows promise; and there are innovations in lubricants and transmissions.
World leaders met in New York at the UN summit on Climate Change in September and were offered major promises by China and the airline industry. Although offering little detail, China's President Hu Jintao promised efforts to improve energy efficiency and curb CO2 emissions by 2020, a move which received praise from most leaders and environmental commentators.
Image:Dave Haygarth |
On behalf of the aviation industry, British Airways boss Willie Walsh pledged to the Conference a cut in emissions to half 2005 levels by 2050, a move which could prompt an increase in air fares and a drive for greener technologies from plane and engine manufacturers. Environmental activists Greenpeace described the announcement as "an elaborate conjuring trick". The implications for oil and lubricants producers remain to be seen. In his summary report, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon offered a plea to the world's leaders: "Your words have been heard around the world. Let your actions now be seen. There is little time left. The opportunity and responsibility to avoid catastrophic climate change is in your hands."
Elsewhere, US-based Solazyme has been chosen to supply algae-derived jet fuel to the US Navy. The order for the replacement to the current petroleum-based fuels will initially be 1,500 gallons, although the company has already supplied 20,000 gallons of algae-based ship fuel.
Among lubricants products, Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC) is claiming to be the first in the UAE with a 'green' product portfolio with the launch of is Protect Green 5W 40 and Vulcan Green 10W 40 engine oils. Shell has expanded its heavy-duty engine oils with the introduction of its new synthetic blend CJ-4 and reformulated full synthetic products as part of the Rotella brand. And General Motors announced a new proprietary brand, Dexos, as its factory fill lubricant for its diesel and gasoline-engined vehicles starting in 2010.
The hydraulics sector is set for a breakthrough in fluid power efficiency after the Centre for Compact and Efficient Fluid Power announced early field test successes with new multi-grade, polymer enhanced oils and fluids. The Centre is supported by a consortium of universities and industrial partners and believes the research could lead to the first major development in hydraulic fluids for around 30 years.
And finally a "specially-developed oil-like fluid, with unusual lubricating and traction properties" is being used in a new generation of Infinitely Variable Transmissions (IVTs) produced by UK company Torotrak. The technology uses steel discs and rollers rather than toothed gears and does not need a clutch or torque converter to start the vehicle moving.