Honolulu Clean Cities Factsheet

Biodiesel fuel...

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Pacific Biodiesel photo
Pacific Biodiesel

... is made from vegetable oil or soybeans.
... can be used in diesel engines in heavy duty vehicles such as buses, large trucks, and boats.
... burns cleaner than regular diesel fuel, produces less soot and smoke, and reduces cancer-causing emissions.
-fueled vehicles can be rented on Oahu and Maui from Bio-beetle (www.bio-beetle.com)
... can be used in pure form or blended with regular diesel in any proportion.
... makes diesel engines smell better - like French fries rather than diesel exhaust.
... is made in Hawaii at Pacific Biodiesel's production facility on Maui.
... is being used in Maui County vehicles, engine generators, and Kauai tour boats (Na Pali Adventures).
... is a renewable, non-toxic, and biodegradable transportation fuel that can help create new jobs, bio-refineries, and domestic markets for Hawaii products.
... can enhance America's energy supply, help the economy, provide cleaner air, and reduce greenhouse gases.
... has been approved as an alternative means for Federal and State fleets to offset up to 50% of their EPACT vehicle purchase requirements. 450 gallons (straight) biodiesel = 1 credit; 2250 gallons of 20% biodiesel : 80% diesel blend = 1 credit. See www.biodiesel.org/amendment.htm

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION

Biodiesel may be used in regular diesel engines - no special vehicles are required.
Diesel engines are found in buses, large trucks, boats, and in power generation equipment such as emergency electrical backup systems.
For diesel engines, a fuel's "cetane rating" (similar to "octane rating" in cars) indicates how the fuel will perform in an engine. Adding 20% biodiesel to regular diesel improves the cetane rating by about 3 points.
Another important diesel fuel quality is its "lubricity." Lubricity is measured by how well metal is protected against wear. Several tests, such as the Exxon test below, have shown that biodiesel improves diesel's lubricity.

Exxon Biodiesel Test Results
	Fuel Type	Scar	Friction
	Regular Low sulfur #2 Diesel	492	0.24
	Regular Low Sulfur #2 Diesel with 20% biodiesel	193	0.13

VEHICLE AVAILABILITY

Since biodiesel fuel may be used in regular vehicles, vehicle availability is theoretically unlimited.
Several diesel engine manufacturers have been working with the Biodiesel Development Board to optimize and certify their engines for biodiesel use.

COST

Since biodiesel generally costs more than diesel, blends are common. Blends of diesel with 20% biodiesel are significantly cleaner than straight diesel fuel, and cost approximately 9¢ per gallon more.
Biodiesel has a high lubricity (6,000 g BOCLE) and an average cetane rating of 51-55 -- a "premium" fuel.
Use of waste vegetable oil reduces the cost of disposal of the oil, and reduces the potential pollution cost.
Biodiesel is a very cost-effective alternative fuel. Since the vehicle cost is essentially zero and existing fuel tanks may be used, the only difference in cost is for the fuel. A study by the U.S. Department of Agriculture determined that biodiesel is a cost-competetive alternative fuel for urban buses.
Alternative fuels are eligible for a lower Hawaii State highway (fuel) tax rate.

fuel pump

FUELING

Biodiesel is a liquid fuel and uses standard diesel-style equipment; same as refueling with diesel.
Fuel is available on Maui to County and private fleets.
It is possible to refuel biodiesel-fueled vehicles with regular diesel if necessary.
Biodiesel fuel is biodegradeable and is less toxic than regular diesel, which may make installation of biodiesel-fueling equipment (particularly underground storage) easier and less costly than for regular diesel fuel.
The cost of installing biodiesel refueling equipment may be eligible for tax deductions under Section 19 of EPACT.

FUEL AVAILABILITY

Biodiesel fuel is made in Hawaii on Maui by Pacific Biodiesel (http://biodiesel.com).

NO smog

EMISSIONS

Biodiesel is clean-burning, with reduced emissions of particulates, soot, smoke, and toxics. Recent studies have shown that diesel fuel particulates are more dangerous (carcinogenic) than previously believed; biodiesel fuel may be a safer alternative.

AND...

Biodiesel buses are in widespread use in Europe and in the midwestern United States.
There are 800 biodiesel fueling stations in Germany (as of March 2000).
Biodiesel is used in sensitive wetland areas to reduce the danger of fuel spills to endangered wildlife.
Biodiesel is used in equipment in enclosed areas to reduce danger from explosions and toxic fumes.

DISCLAIMER: Please note that we do not necessarily verify, endorse or agree with statements or opinions presented on the listed sites. Links are provided to sites that appeared to provide information, present additional perspectives, or lead to further discussion on this or related topics.

OTHER LINKS

Check out the fact sheets and activities in the Alternative Fuels Activity Book! (www.state.hi.us/dbedt/ert/activitybook).
U.S. Department of Energy:
- Biofuels Information Center - www.biofuels.doe.gov
- National Clean Cities Home Page - www.ccities.doe.gov
- Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN) - www.eren.doe.gov
- Energy Education Resources: Kindergarten Through 12th Grade - www.eia.doe.gov/bookshelf/eer/kiddietoc.html
- Office of Transportation Technologies - www.ott.doe.gov
National Renewable Energy Laboratory :
- Center for Transportation Technologies and Systems - www.ctts.nrel.gov
National Biodiesel Board - www.biodiesel.org
Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR) - www.ilsr.org
Union of Concerned Scientists - www.ucsusa.org
Canadian Renewable Fuels Association - www.greenfuels.org

This page is: ccfsbf.html
This page was last updated on: 09/22/2003.

Biodiesel fuel...

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