Biofuel Networks in the Community (BIONIC)

1. Biofuel Networks in the Community (BIONIC) BIONIC National Seminar 28th April 2010

2. Contents • Context • Tailpipe emissions • Why BIONIC? • North West Biofuel User Group • Summary

3. True or False? • Biofuels can reduce GHG emissions on a well to wheels basis. • Biofuels can increase GHG emissions on a well to wheels basis. • Biofuels can improve local air quality. • Biofuels can be detrimental to local air quality. • Biofuels can put pressure on food crops. • Biofuels can reduce pressure on food crops.

4. True or False? • All of these contradictory statements can be true. • The term ‘biofuels’ covers a very wide range of fuels which can be made from a wide variety of feedstocks through a wide variety of processes. • Very important to be clear about which specific type we are talking about when making statements.

5. Context • Tailpipe emissions • Why BIONIC? • North West Biofuel User Group • Summary

6. Tailpipe Emissions Biodiesel Bioethanol Biomethane • Less CO, HC and PM • Higher NOx • Similar to petrol • Lower NOx and PM CO2 depends on the source material and production

7. Context • Tailpipe emissions • Why BIONIC? • North West Biofuel User Group • Summary

8. The Project • NW England – Merseytravel (Coordinator) and Lancashire County Council. • Project bid written in 2005 because sustainability wasn’t being taken seriously. • Transport sector needs low carbon solutions but has fewer options than other sectors • Sustainable biofuels are one of the few practical answers, particularly for fleets

9. The Project • Industry and Government now very aware of sustainability issues. • Good chance that UK industry will only be allowed to develop with ‘good’ biofuels. • Leading the World with sustainability and GHG criteria • Sustainability and GHG criteria has sparked a debate about the regulation of other industries such as food, and conventional fuels. • Why not apply appropriate criteria to other sectors? • We could have biofuels to thank for improving the standards of all sectors!

10. The Project • Already niche biofuels that avoid food crops and indirect land use change, and achieve large savings in GHG – don’t need to wait for ‘2nd generation’ • Biofuels that utilise waste are the best at the moment. Used cooking oil and tallow for biodiesel, sewage works/municipal waste for biomethane • UK derived crops have excellent standards but indirect land use change effects can be difficult to rule out, but not impossible. There are biofuels made from UK crops which shouldn’t be discounted either.

11. The Project • Fuel quality remains an issue. • Very important to have a good relationship with the producer and to understand exactly what you are buying. • Can be very confusing. • Lots of contradictory stories (both opponents and supporters of biofuels have bent the truth!)

12. The Project Three case studies: • United Utilities - Biomethane (2 vehicles) - initially using food waste from Heinz factory • Wirral Council - B20 trialled in council fleet (40 vehicles) • Stagecoach - B100 in 6 vehicles - locally sourced, waste oil

13. Context • Tailpipe emissions • Why BIONIC? • North West Biofuel User Group • Summary

14. North WestBiofuel User Group • Started in 2006, chaired by Merseytravel. • Supporting BIONIC. • Brings together producers, users and potential users of sustainable biofuels – first hand experience. • Expert speakers. • Free to join, meets quarterly around NW. • Aim to support use / supply / production

15. Context • Tailpipe emissions • Why BIONIC? • North West Biofuel User Group • Summary

16. Summary • Biofuels in context - not the silver bullet. • Don’t believe everything you read • Production should and will be constrained by sustainability and GHG criteria. • Biofuels can not replace conventional fuels in the medium term. • ‘Good’ biofuels should work alongside other solutions • Sustainably produced biofuels are available on Merseyside now