Biofuels are alternatives to mineral based fossil fuels. There is a great deal of research into biofuels both overseas and here in New Zealand with a focus on finding new feedstocks as well as ensuring biofuels do not detract from food supplies.
Biofuels and sustainability
Rising demand for biofuels has raised a number of sustainability concerns including:
- Large tracts of forest in tropical regions being felled to produce crops such as palm oil.
- Overuse of chemical fertilizer.
- Draining and burning peat land for biofuel feedstock production, often releasing large amount of carbon into the atmosphere.
- Land rights of people displaced to make way for intensive cropping.
EECA Case studies.
EECA have produced a set of case studies of New Zealand businesses who use biofuels. These can be viewed at http://www.eeca.govt.nz/resource-centre/listing/58/15
There are a number of companies supplying biofuels. Some of these are listed below.
Gull New Zealand
Gull Force 10 and Gull Regular Plus are bioethanol blends available to the public at Gull outlets in the North Island and are probably the easiest way to use good quality biofuels for petrol engines from a sustainable by-product feedstock. Ethanol blends can be used in almost all later model petrol vehicles in New Zealand.
http://www.gull.co.nz/
New Zealand Ester Fuels Ltd.
Based in Tuakau (Franklin district), NZEF manufacture quality bio-diesel fromÿused cooking oils and used cooking fats. Their manufacturing plant has a production capability of 2 million litres per annum and is designed to process a wide range of feedstocks. Part of our unique manufacturing technique using the Magnesol Dry Wash allows for the process to be totally water free, thus having a negligible environmental footprint. The plant has neither a fresh water nor a trade waste connection.
www.nzef.co.nz
Eco Matters Trust Bio-diesel Initiative
EcoMatters Environment Trust have a bio-diesel initiative operating from their site in West Auckland. EMT have secured a high quality bio-diesel derived from locally sourced waste oils. The oils have been put through a system in such a way that they are readily usable in almost all diesel engines without conversion. It burns so cleanly that you can't see or smell a thing coming out of the tail pipe! The diesel is $1.20 per litre. Fill up is available fill up at EcoMatters in New Lynn but there is a pick up system where you can take containers home and use them at your own discretion. If interested please contact The Sustainable Living Centre on 826 4276 or email aaryn@ecomatters.org.nz
BioDiesel NZ
A subsidiary of Solid Energy, BioDiesel NZ make biodiesel from used vegetable oil collected from restaurants and food processors throughout the country, and from locally grown oilseed rape crops.at a plant in Christchurch.
http://www.biodiesel-nz.co.nz/index.cfm/1,118,0,44,html
Ecodiesel
Using a process that takes tallow from the meat industy, Ecodiesel produce diesel fuels from a base in Auckland.
http://www.nzbio.org/files/members-detail.asp?ContactID=324
Environ Fuels
Environ Fuels make diesel from waste vegetable oilÿandÿare developing theÿuse seed oil grown on marginal land.
http://www.environfuels.com/
Envirocar
The Envirocar conversion allows diesel vehicles to run on cooking oils.
http://www.envirocar.co.nz/info.html
Mobil
Mobil is currently selling ethanol-blended petrol at selected sites in the greater Wellington region. Mobil is also trialing blended biodiesel at selected sites in the Bay of Plenty region.
The Bioenergy Association of New Zealand
BANZ has been established to promote and coordinate the development of a bioenergy industry in New Zealand. Their website is a valuable source of information on biofuels in New Zealand.
http://www.bioenergy.org.nz/index.asp
Do It Yourself
DIY is a great Kiwi pastime and for some people, this extends to making their own biodiesel. Instructions and kits are available on the internet, including Trade Me as well as in many specialist magazines. Making your own biodiesel can be fun and interesting but it is also risky and can be dangerous. If not managed well, it can also be harmful to your engine. Whilst it isn't all that difficult to make biodiesel, it is much more difficult to make good, clean, quality biodiesel. SBN and GreenFleet do not recommend you make biodiesel unless you have professional advice, safe equipment and the right facilities.