Biodiesel--the green alternative to diesel.

Biodiesel is a renewable, environmentally friendly substitute for petroleum diesel fuel that is beginning to gain momentum in Saskatchewan and across Canada. Biodiesel can be made from feedstocks such as oil crops like canola or animal fats, as well as waste restaurant greases. Although diesel engines can operate on 100 per cent biodiesel, biodiesel is usually blended with petroleum diesel, with the most popular blends being 2%, 5%, 10% or 20%, more commonly known as B2, B5, B10 or B20. In most instances, no modifications are required for an engine to operate using biodiesel and most engine manufacturers recognize blends of up to B5.

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Biodiesel has many positive properties compared to petroleum diesel. It generally has a higher cetane level which provides an easier engine starting and a smoother operation. It has excellent lubricity properties which can lead to a longer fuel system life and a reduction in overall engine wear. Additionally, some research has indicated potential fuel economy benefits at blends of B5 and lower due to the positive lubricity properties. Since biodiesel is a renewable fuel, using it leads to a reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) and therefore it is less harmful to the environment.

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Fleet Challenge Saskatchewan, part of a National Fleet Challenge program funded by Natural Resources Canada, works with companies that have fleets of vehicles in the province to help them reduce their non-renewable fuel consumption and GHGs. Using biodiesel is one of the easiest means for a fleet to reduce its GHGs. However, because the biodiesel production industry in Canada is currently in its infancy, and biodiesel is not yet readily available at wholesale or retail pumps, it is difficult for fleets to utilize it on a regular basis. Fleet Challenge Saskatchewan is working toward making biodiesel more readily available.

But biodiesel producers still have some drawbacks to address. Biodiesel generally has a slightly lower British Thermal Unit (BTU) value than petroleum diesel, which can vary between winter and summer diesel. This may result in a slightly negative overall effect on fuel economy at blending levels of B20 or more. At higher blends, there may be a slight trade-off between the environmental benefits of consuming a higher percentage of biodiesel versus a slight reduction in fuel economy. Additionally, biodiesel has higher cloud and cold flow pour points than winter diesel. Therefore, until an economic additive is produced that will improve its cold weather properties, winter time blends of biodiesel in Saskatchewan should be B5 or lower.

The other challenging aspect of biodiesel is cost. Depending on the grade of feedstock used, biodiesel can be expensive to produce. While biodiesel produced using a food-grade canola will have a higher cost, using feedstocks such as off-grade canola, waste animal fats or restaurant greases can produce biodiesel at a significantly lower cost. With high petroleum oil prices, biodiesel made from these feedstocks can be competitive. As the industry develops, economies of scale, improved technology and alternative feedstocks will only make the industry more competitive with petroleum diesel while providing numerous benefits.

Fleets in Saskatchewan are beginning to take notice of biodiesel. Saskatoon City Transit is undertaking a two-year demonstration of a B5 blend of biodiesel in four transit buses. The project is almost complete and results are encouraging. The Saskatchewan Transportation Company was also recently involved in demonstrating biodiesel. The Premier's "Dialogue with Saskatchewan" annual June bus tour used a blend of B5 biodiesel, as did the buses that transported athletes during the 2005 Jeux du Canada Games in Regina. Demonstrations like these provide comfort to fleets, and others in the province, that biodiesel is a fuel that performs, both for the engine and the environment.

Dave Kutcher is the Manager of Fleet Challenge Saskatchewan.