Major biodiesel plant coming online
The most pressing issue with alternative fuels like biodiesel is supply. If you can’t make it in quantity not only does this prevent people from getting the fuel, it makes it more expensive than it really needs to be. Looks like that’s about to change:
The Grays Harbor, Wash., biodiesel refinery being opened by Imperium Renewables. The 12-acre facility will be capable of churning out 100 million gallons of biodiesel by the end of the year, the company says.
Imperium wants to build three copycat plants over the next 18 months. When it comes to total diesel consumption, 100 million gallons is a drop in the bucket, but it’s a start. Besides, Imperium, run by the rather imperial Martin Tobias, says it can produce biodiesel cheaper than competitors. Source: Photos: 100 million gallons of biodiesel | CNET News.com
Here in Victoria, our city buses are now running on 30% biodiesel … a first for Canada and maybe North America. All it takes is more supply to also increase demand and lower prices.
4 Comments
Supply and cost-effectiveness will definitely motivate greener behavior on a larger scale. Great read…and now you are tagged for the b5media Science & Health Channel “meme” – Have fun!
One of the problems with bio-diesel is that the feedstock is usually material that can be used as food. Thus, as the production of bio-diesel increases, it tends to drive up the price of the feedstock, and this hits in two ways: Firstly, it makes the biodiesel more expensive, and secondly, it makes food more expensive. That may not have a direct effect on the US and Canada, but already Mexico has had riots about the increasing price of food. Of course, there may be a couple of years of delay of price increases, so it may not be obvious to most people what’s happening. And, since the price of meats (which have their feed supplemented by grains) goes up, it may not be obvious what’s happening.
Dave
But… Dave biodiesel can also be made from waste cooking oil … think of all the fast food joints, all the deep friers. Right now that all goes into the sewer system or landfill. Have that collected and processed and it takes the pressure off the canola crops. BTW Canola … can grow like gang busters so having it planted in sub-optimal conditions for just non-human consumable use.
Maybe even on soil that is too contaminated to grow food or feedstock?
True, those are very good points. Every little bit will help; it’s just that I don’t think we can get to a 100 percent biodiesel solution.
Dave