The US Navy uses beef fat as fuel for warships

The US Navy is increasing its use of biofuels, including beef fat, for its ships due to concerns about climate change and instability in oil prices.

The US Navy aims to use 50% of renewable energy for all operations of warships and jets and shore bases by 2020, according to Share America.

The USS Stockdale of the US Navy uses biofuels. (Photo: AP).

Currently, the US Navy is using biofuels containing 10% of beef fat for 10 ships of the Great Green Fleet. At the naval base and other land facilities, solar panels are contributing to clean electricity supply. Total renewable energy produced by these units amounted to 1.1 gigawatt, which meets half of the US Navy's electricity needs.

The US Navy also saves energy by navigating the navigational system, which can utilize wind and ocean currents to extend the time between energy transitions. They also collaborate with Maersk to research bioenergy from algae.

Fuel sources the US Navy is using. (Photo: US Navy).

"We all benefit from a future with more diverse, more readily available, more sustainable, more environmentally compatible energy sources," said Ray Mabus, US Navy Secretary.

Dennis McGinn, Assistant Secretary emphasized that the Blue Fleet vessel did not need to change or modify biofuels."You just need to pour in fuel and do not need to change anything. Fuel will flow into the tank, through pumps, filters to the ignition and combustion chamber , " McGinn said.

According to McGinn, other countries participating in the Pacific Rim Training (RIMPAC) recently also used alternative fuels for their vessels.