Biodiesel

Biodiesel, Biostrength!

Biodiesel, or biofuel, is a clean burning alternative and renewable fuel that is derived from natural oils and materials. As biodiesel does not contain petroleum, many have labeled it "the fuel of the future". Biodiesel can be used in a variety of vehicles and blended with petroleum-based fuels for non-diesel engines. Pure biodiesel fuel, though, can only be used in diesel engines. Biodiesel is biodegradable and non-toxic and even more environmentally friendly than common table salt!

Biodiesel differs from vegetable oil alternative fuels in that it can be used in its unaltered form in diesel engines whereas fuels of vegetable oil base must be modified and can be only be utilized by combustion-ignition engines. Biodiesel remains one of the easiest-to-use fuels with a wide variety of applications including use with farm equipment, manufacturing devices, and generators and is often used as an additive to Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) fuel. Additional applications of biodiesel fuel include railroads and light-rails, a variety of air crafts, and as a renewable heating fuel.

The Green Benefits: Environment and Money

Biodiesel does not produce high emissions associated with traditional fuels and is free from such substances as sulfur and aromatics. Additionally, compared to other alternative fuels, biodiesel has a number of unique features and qualities including: meeting the standards of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments, permission from the Environmental Protection Agency to be sold and distributed, and meeting strict health and safety guidelines and testing requirements.

Biodiesel resources are "homegrown" from within the United States freeing the dependence on foreign petroleum supplies and market indexes. The costs of development, production, and distribution of biodiesel remain with local sources, producers, and suppliers helping to generate a cleaner, healthier, and more stable economic source for fuel.

The Green Blanket: Security

One of the main drivers for adoption of biodiesel is energy security or reducing a nation's dependence on oil via substitution with locally available sources. The US NREL says that energy security is the number one driving force behind the US biofuels programme and the White House "Energy Security for the 21st Century" makes clear that energy security is a major reason for promoting biodiesel The EU commission president, Jose Manuel Barroso, has stated that properly managed biofuels have the potential to reinforce the EU's security of supply through diversification of energy sources.

Production: On The Rise!

Biodiesel is rapidly gaining commercial recognition and can be found at many gas stations across the United States. The average retail price, including applicable taxes, of B2/B5 is on average 12 cents lower than petroleum diesel while B20 blends cost roughly the same as petroleum diesel.

The current least expensive option for biodiesel fuel is to make it at home yourself!

Global biodiesel production reached 3.8 million tons in 2005. Approximately 85% of biodiesel production came from the European Union and worldwide biodiesel production capacity realized an annual average annual growth rate of forty-percent from 2002-2006.

Research and Development

• *In 1998 Austrian Biofuels Institute identified 21 countries with commercial biodiesel projects.
• *As of 2008 100% Biodiesel is now available at hundreds of service stations across Europe.
• *In September 2005 Minnesota mandated that all diesel fuel sold in the state contain a minimum of 2% biodiesel.
• *Biodiesel Industries, Inc, is developing biodiesel technologies for the US Navy
• *Ecofasa has developed a new biofuel made up from general urban waste and treated by bacteria to produce fatty acids then used to make biodiesel.