Biodiesel is an alternative fuel that is made from organic sources such as vegetable matter. Many consider it a potentially important path to national ‘energy independence’ and climate security since it can be produced locally and generates considerably less greenhouse gases than fossil sources. While many advances must still be made, as a transportation fuel biodiesel will certainly play an important role in our energy future.

Solar One owns a 13kW diesel generator (pictured above) that is fueled entirely with pure biodiesel (aka B100). In combination with our rooftop solar system, the generator provides electricity for many of Solar One’s larger events, such as Citysol.

What is biodiesel?

Biodiesel is a hydrocarbon like gasoline, kerosene, or any other oil. It behaves exactly like petroleum based diesel fuel but it is made from plant based hydrocarbons instead of petroleum based. It can be made from virgin plant material like soybeans or palm oil, but it is most exciting as a way to recycle used vegetable oil. Sometimes you can tell when a biodiesel car drives by because it will smell like french fries or fried chicken!

The European Union has come under fire for indirectly spurring rainforest deforestation by having a quota for biodiesel, which was filled by the creation of palm tree plantations in tropical areas. In its recycled form, biodiesel has few peers; however, the total volume of available waste oil for conversion is several orders of magnitude short of what would be required to substitute transportation fuels on a significant scale.

Research to identify the most efficient feedstocks that require the least amount of input resources is ongoing. Some of the most promising sources are unconventional crops like algae. Ultimately alternative varieties and methods of conversion will have to be introduced if biofuels are to emerge as significant factors in a green energy future.

Here are some great resources that explain the process of making biodeisel in detail:

Who is making biodiesel?

In the NYC area, a company called Tri State Biodiesel has grabbed a foothold. Tri State supplied Citysol with the biodiesel for our generator.