BIODIESEL Renewable Fuel for a Sustainable Future Completing the Cycle ShadValley

Outline u Current State (scary) u Biodiesel u Our Biodiesel Project u Shad Valley?

Biodiesel key components u Non meiopic view u Connection between many aspects of society, economy, and environment u Modeled to mimic natural systems u Just a step in evolution

Whoa! What’s wrong with Fossil Fuels?? u Environment u Economy u Cultural Impacts

Sociological (equity) u Iraq, Niger Delta Peoples, 9/11, Fossil Fuels have caused just about all wars that were not started by religious conflicts

Environmental Ramifications of Fossil Fuel Consumption u Climate Change, smog, air pollution, habitat destruction for extraction, –Air pollution diesel - 2% emit 40% of emissions Greenhouse carbon increase

Environmental Ramifications of Fossil Fuel Consumption u Oil spills and habitat destruction –Exxon Valdez- u Env. Canada estimates a catastrophic oil spill in Canadian waters of >10,000 tonnes every 15 years.

Economic Implications u Huge growth - still no happiness u The stocks of fossil fuels are inherently finite, by 2059 all viable oil stocks will be gone (Harper, 2000)

Indirect Ramifications of the Fossil Fuel Lifestyle u Disconnection from natural systems u Loss of identity u This is likely the largest problem of all, and the most difficult to ‘fix’ u No alternative to solve the problem, as technology is not capable of ‘fixing’ our dysfunctional paradigm.

Along with technological changes for a better future u we as a species need to remake our relationship with the Earth, incorporating into our values and societal structures the dependence we all have upon natural systems. u In the mean time….

What is BIODIESEL? u 1) technological alternative that is more sustainable than current fuels u 2) a tool to shift values and ideals to concepts of cycling of matter and energy in smaller local communitites

Biodiesel replaces Diesel u Roudolph Diesel u But fossil oil was much cheaper and easier to find back then, and organic fuels were forgotten until...

…Biodiesel u Process took off in 80’s, catching on now u Can be substituted at any concentration u Engines requires little to no modification u Is more environmental and socially friendly u = efficiency and power output

BIODIESEL: ENVIRONMENT and EMISSIONS Biodiesel contains no sulfur Only fuel to pass EPA Clean Air Act

BIODIESEL: Cycling of Matter and Energy Carbon Cycle and Greenhouse Gases Cycle vs Sink

Sociological Impacts u Local community connection u Reconnected with cyclic nature of ecosystems u Waste? u We reduce our terrorism of other nations, as we do not need bombs to scare used vegetable oil out of any countries u Community health

Economic Ramifications u Similar price u Local products/production/consumption closes economic cycling of income maintaining community wealth Warranties of major engine manufacturers are valid with Biodiesel use

Projects: Tried and Tested u Montreal Buses u Commercial Pumps in States u France all B2 u Toronto

PIT GREASE??

The Biodiesel Project: Completing the Cycle u Why? u Goals u Methods u Results

The Biodiesel Project: Completing the Cycle u Stage 1 (Jan August 2002) u Goal - personal vehicle, community awareness, commercial sales u Methods - production set ups u Results - B100 Jetta, Plant Ops, Community Connection

Production Facility Yes, that is my bathroom

Production Facility, UBC BioResource Laboratory

100% Biodiesel Powered Vehicle

UBC Plant Operations future B20 vehicle

Locations of Collection

The Biodiesel Project: Completing the Cycle u Stage 2 (August 2002) u Goal - Commerical sales, 1000L batch process, Cooperative u Methods - Transporation, production facility, politics

Why our project is different u Non profit, not stuck to academia, not tied to industry grants/sponsors u Run by youth with a new vision u Not an old saggy bottom operation with closed minds

Key components u Media connections u Communications + public speaking u Energy, inspiration, determination

Conclusions u Fuel Production, only one step on the path. u The real message is not about fuel… u We need to recognize where our culture limits us…”why?” u The problems of today will not be fixed by few people doing big things…they will be fixed by you and us doing small things with a new vision.

Thanks to: Sue Baldwin Dept.Chemical and Biological Engineering