It is discouraging to learn that Canada lags far behind the US and Europe (the biodiesel leaders) in innovation, implementation, availability and awareness of biodiesel, but there are a few things happening. In Montreal, a large-scale demonstration project involving 155 transit buses is just wrapping up. Toronto Hydro's entire diesel fleet is also part of a biodiesel pilot project (www.torontohydro.com/corporate/initiatives/green_fleet/). The University of Guelph has a feasibility study well underway while closer to home is UBC's Biodiesel Project. Vancouver based DynaMotive is working with a biofuel substitute dubbed bio-oil that can be burned in industrial kilns in the place of natural gas.
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| UBC's Biodiesel Project, started by students, focuses on reusing discarded restaurant oil, such as the french fry grease from the cafeteria. (Photo: UBC Biodiesel Project) |
UBC's Biodiesel Project - primarily focused on reusing discarded restaurant oil - started out in the basement of the Student Union Building and now has a lab out at the UBC Farm. Geoff Hill, the point man on the pilot project remarked recently that the exhaust aroma is similar to french fries! The locally brewed fuel not only powered his vehicle until recently, (starving student, so he had to sell his van) but will also soon power UBC Maintenance lawn mowers.
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| The fuel produced from UBC's Biodiesel Project will soon power the UBC Maintenance lawn mowers. (Photo: UBC Biodiesel Project) |
While the thought is intriguing I'm not saying that everyone should now seriously start considering the use of diesel vehicles and push the powers that be toward a Biodiesel infrastructure. The Canadian Renewable Fuels Association emphasizes that, "the goal of the biodiesel industry is not to replace petrodiesel or to supplant the invaluable role of other alternative fuels. Each of these fuels has a place in the development of a balanced energy industry." However, if diesel is your personal fuel of choice take a serious look at this "bio" alternative to powering your vehicle.