News Report: India to Use Bio Fuel for Its Warships

India has embarked on an ambitious plan to make bio-fuel powered warships the new normal. State owned manufacturers have been directed to study the compatibility of natural gas in warship engines without compromising the efficiency of the ships.

NEW DELHI (Sputnik) — The Narendra Modi led Indian government has prepared a roadmap to replace conventional fuel with bio-fuel in ships used by its defense forces. The roadmap also lays out a plan to use methanol for propelling barges. By doing so, India will not only be able to cut the import of crude oil by at least ten percent in the next five years, the country will also be able to save approximately $15 billion a year.

"It will be good to have a pilot study to examine whether we can use CNG or LNG as fuel for vessels which could be cheaper and cleaner as compared to the other fuels being used for the vessels," Dharmendra Pradhan, India's Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas said.

USA: U.S. 7th Fleet looks back at 2016, a year of firsts

From U.S. 7th Fleet Public Affairs

USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) and JS Izumo (DDH 183) lead ships breaking formation during exercise Keen Sword in November. (U.S. Navy/MC1 Elijah G. Leinaar) >>

YOKOSUKA, Japan - Upgraded ships, new innovations and technologies, and partnerships were abound for U.S. 7th Fleet in 2016.

Seventh Fleet teamed up with allies and partner nations in more than 110 exercises to exchange information, enhance capabilities and train together throughout 2016. Major exercises included Keen Sword, Ulchi Freedom Guardian, Ssang Yong, and nine different Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) series exercises.

Some key events from 2016:

The 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge kicked off her patrol in February, traveling 13,000 nautical miles across the Indo-Asia-Pacific to strengthen partnerships and promote peace and stability in the region.

The ship visited 10 ports in 7 countries conducting various engagements such as staff talks, sports activities, receptions onboard the ship, community relations events, and much more.

During the patrol, various distinguished visitors came onboard including the Sri Lankan President, Maithripala Sirisena, Indian Minister of Defence, Manohar Parrikar, and Secretary of Defense Ash Carter.

USA: US Navy, Queensland Government Partner with Industry at Biofutures Conference

By LT Marycate Walsh, Chief of Information Public Affairs

BRISBANE, Australia (NNS) -- A two-day Biofutures Industry Forum hosted by the Queensland government and U.S. Navy at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre commenced today in Brisbane, Australia. 

The forum will bring together biofutures industry leaders from each step in the supply chain to collaborate and discuss the production of biofuels that meet both jet and marine specifications; all while forming and strengthening professional relationships between the nations. 

"The Navy has always been in the energy-innovation business- from wind to coal, coal to oil, and now alternative fuels," said Deputy Under Secretary of the Navy for Management, Tom Hicks. "Throughout these changes, we have worked closely with the government and with industry to put into place the supporting infrastructure."

USA: USS Stethem returns to Japan after 7-month patrol

By Lt.j.g. Kyle Wagner

USS Stethem (DDG 63) returns to Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Nov. 17. (U.S. Navy/PO1 Peter Burghart) >>

YOKOSUKA, Japan - The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, USS Stethem (DDG 63), returned to Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan, Nov. 17 after a seven-month patrol supporting security and stability in the Indo-AsiaPacific region.

While deployed, the ship visited eight different countries, participated in nine military exercises, conducted a regular patrol in the South China Sea, served as part of the U.S. Navy's Great Green Fleet initiative, and supported Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 5.

“The entire crew performed remarkably over the last seven months,” said Cmdr. Doug Pegher, Stethem's commanding officer. “They represent the best our nation has to offer. We are also extremely grateful to our families and friends ashore who supported us while we were away."

Stethem operated with navies from Brunei, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, Australia, Republic of Korea, and Japan.

News Story: Australia's iconic gum trees could be used to create jet fuel - scientists

CANBERRA, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- Australian scientists believe they may soon be able to use the country's iconic gum trees to develop enough renewable jet fuel for up to 5 percent of the world's aviation industry.

Scientists from the Australian National University (ANU) said by using compounds called monoterpenes found in eucalyptus oil, they could create a "high energy," low-carbon fuel suitable for use in missiles and jet planes.

Lead researcher Carsten Kulheim from the ANU Research School of Biology said if gum trees, part of the eucalypt family, were planted in the same numbers as those planted for paper, they could provide enough fuel for "5 percent" of the world's airplanes.

"If we could plant 20 million hectares of eucalyptus species worldwide, which is currently the same amount that is planted for pulp and paper, we would be able to produce enough jet fuel for five percent of the aviation industry," Kulheim said in a statement on Monday.

Read the full story at Xinhua

Think Tank: Sea, air, land and space updates (6-SEP-2016)

Antonov An-225 Mriya (Image: Wiki Commons)

Christopher Cowan, Thulasi Wigneswaran, Elisabeth Buchan and Alexander Vipond

Sea State

The South China Sea’s about to get more crowded, with the Russia–China naval exercise—fittingly named Joint Sea 2016—scheduled for 11–19 September. Russia has sent a task force of anti-submarine warfare destroyers, support ships and an amphibious landing ship to participate this year, in what’s seen as a signal of the burgeoning Sino–Russian security relationship. Russia’s increasing naval activity around the world has led to a renewed interest in Russian naval affairs in the US, with the US Naval War College opening a Russia Maritime Studies Institute earlier this week.

The US Navy continues to look at further diversifying the fuel supply for its fleet, with details emerging this week that the Navy had applied for a patent dubbed ‘Bacteria-Based Gas Generator’. This generator would supposedly harness methane and hydrogen gases emitted from microorganisms to power ships and unmanned naval systems. It’s not the first time the US Navy has looked to alternative energy sources to power its fleet. The ‘Great Green Fleet’ is a Carrier Strike Group that generates power using alternative fuel supplies: nuclear power on the aircraft carrier and a diesel-biofuel blend for the escort ships.

USA: Statement of Cooperation Signing in Australia Aims to Advance Biofuels Development

By Chief Mass Communication Specialist Hendrick Simoes, U.S. 7th Fleet Public Affairs

BRISBANE, Australia (NNS) -- A statement of cooperation between the U.S. Navy and the northeastern state of Queensland was the culmination of a week of Great Green Fleet events in Australia to promote the Navy's energy efficiency and alternative energy initiatives.

Queensland's Premiere Annastacia Palaszczuk and U.S. Deputy Under Secretary of the Navy for Management Thomas Hicks signed a Statement of Cooperation to work together in support of projects that advance shared interests in alternative fuel development, Aug 17.

Both officials signed the Statement of Cooperation shortly after meeting and discussing energy security and the Great Green Fleet initiative. 

The signing "memorializes" several years of progress and "what's to come," Hicks told reporters immediately after the signing at the Parliament House. "That's what's most exciting for us, is how these fuels that are developed here can be used not only for ourselves, but in private industry as well."

AUS: Queensland to partner US Navy in massive biofuel initiative

Queensland’s future as the biofuel hub for the Asia-Pacific has further been advanced with the signing of a high-level agreement between the Palaszczuk Government and the United States Navy.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and United States Deputy Under Secretary of the Navy for Management Thomas Hicks today signed a Statement of Cooperation as part of the Great Green Fleet initiative.

The Great Green Fleet is a US Navy commitment to source 50 per cent of fuel from renewable sources by 2020.

“This is a huge vote of confidence in our developing biofuels industry and puts Queensland in the box seat to supply the Pacific fleet,” the Premier said.

“The partnership we have signed with the US Navy underlines the huge potential to build a new industry that will make Queensland the biofuel hub of the Asia Pacific.