Wayne County Airport Authority (WCAA) is trying to attract businesses to its airports by promoting and developing alternative aviation fuels.

The authority, which operates Detroit Metropolitan Airport and Willow Run Airport, has teamed up with Michigan State University (MSU) to grow, harvest and process bioenergy crops on airport-owned land.

Supported by a $476,000 grant from the Michigan Energy Office, the AgriEnergy Technology Demonstration project aims to protect the future of the aviation industry from the depletion of fossil fuels.

Genelle Allen, interim CEO at WCAA, said: "WCAA has been interested in exploring the potential of developing airport-owned property around both airports for bioenergy production for some time.

"If successful, this project could attract businesses to the vicinity of the airports that would produce alternative fuels for use in aircraft and other vehicles.

"This project has possibilities for not only bringing economic development to South East Michigan, but also protecting land around our airports from further encroachment."

According to WCAA, between them Detroit Metropolitan and Willow Run airports have approximately 1,700 acres of property that is potentially suitable for bioenergy cropping.

So far, WCAA has leased three acres of airport-owned land to the university on which biofuel crops have already been planted and will soon be harvested, refined, and tested.  The crops planted include canola and oriental mustard seed.

Once refined, biodiesel can be dropped in the current fuel tank farms at the airports without any modification needed to the fuel system in any way.

Furthermore, a processing plant could be constructed on or near the airport and the locally grown biofuel crops could then be harvested, transported to the refinery, and piped directly into the airport fuel tanks.

The accessibility to rail lines and expressways also make it feasible to transport the product to other facilities, WCAA added.

Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano said: "Wayne County Economic Development Growth Engine (EDGE) and Aerotropolis Development Corporation have identified alternative energy and non-fossil fuels as a growth sector for our area.

"Through this project, Wayne County will be at the forefront of an exciting, emerging, technology that could generate significant economic benefits for the region and State."