Biodiesel industry running into trouble at every turn, but the cold may no longer be an issue
That press release that went out earlier this month that read "The Biodiesel Industry Is Struggling And We Need Your Help!" wasn't kidding. With a new European Union tariff on biodiesel that comes from the U.S. and layoffs at some big (well, formerly big) players in the industry, things aren't looking up. That's not all: petrodiesel prices have once again dropped below biodiesel, there's no longer a price advantage to using the soy-based fuel. The New York Times runs down the laundry list of problems, and finds an expert who recommends government quotas because "there is no market-based reason for consumers to buy biodiesel."
There is a bit of good news from up north, though. The Indiana Soybean Alliance recently finished a 1,400-mile trip to the Arctic Circle and back using a new biodiesel blend that does not gel until it gets really, really cold. In fact, Permaflo Biodiesel is apparently usable down to 67 below. That's cold.[Source: New York Times, Domestic Fuel]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Noz 2:11PM (3/21/2009)
Not to mention it does not solve the emissions problems...just reduces some, increases others.
Reply
Len_A 9:52PM (3/22/2009)
That may be true for all biofuels.
Len_A 3:05PM (3/23/2009)
I meant to add: except biofuels produced this way:
http://www.popsci.com/environment/article/2008-04/breeding-oil-bug
http://www.technologyreview.com/Biztech/19128/
Noz 1:52AM (3/23/2009)
That may solve the production side of emissions....but what about the combustion side? We still end up with a hydrocarbon right?
Len_A 8:39AM (3/23/2009)
Pretty much, but I think a comprehensive approach to reducing greenhouse gases is far better than just focusing on transportation related causes.
http://www.recycled-energy.com/newsroom/news/smithsonian2-27-09.html
http://www.recycled-energy.com/newsroom/news/detroit-free-press04-22-08.html
If, in fact, this is true, then we've wasted a lot of time and engineering resources focusing only on transportation sources rather than something with more immediate results. Face it, even if tomorrow every passenger car and truck was ten times cleaner and more fuel efficient, no one would notice because the rest of the cars on the road haven't changed.
Change one commercial powerhouse, and everyone in the area can see the result right away.
Noz 2:50AM (3/24/2009)
That's true. I've always said that changing the process is far more efficient than adding collectors to what is existing today.
And that's the problem with the approach to solving our future resource use problem. We need to find new ways to power what we have...not just make them more efficient.