VitalAccurateThinking

Carbon-Neutral Biodiesel Plant?

Green Star that they will build the first carbon-neutral biodiesel plant. While the certainly get an "A" for effort and we certainly need more technological efforts like this, let us approach the subject with some clarity.

First, the claim of carbon neutrality in the title turns to "almost zero" in the first paragraph. Negative points for misleading headline!

Second, the plant will power its own electric generators with biofuel produced in the plant. Clearly, burning the fuel will generate CO2.

Third, they will use heat generated by the co-generation plant located 200 yards away. Without the presence of this co-gen plant, they would have to use more energy in the production process. This is an innovative approach since it captures an existing energy loss system. I give them positive points for this innovation and capturing efficiencies. Perhaps this capture of energy that would normally be just wasted and yields the greatest benefit to the plant and environment.

Fourth, energy must be expended getting their feedstock to the facility. I wonder if that counts in the near net-zero CO2 emissions effort.

I would like to see the "CO2 balance" for this process before passing judgment. I regard this "zero net CO2" claim with provisional skepticism, but am intrigued by the concept of a viable renewable energy source mixed with capturing waste heat from an existing source.

Go for it GSPI! Don't let my provisional skepticism hold you back.

posted by Jim VAT @ 6:36 PM