CALGARY — A two-phase biodiesel project in anticipation of a federal renewable fuels strategy is set to kick-off in Alberta.

A group of stakeholders — made up of members of the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association and the Canadian Petroleum Products Institute — is gathering comprehensive data about the quality requirements of biodiesel blends used in Canada as part of the Alberta Biodiesel Demonstration Project.

“All participants are supporting the initiative to provide certainty regarding key quality aspects of biodiesel use in Canada,” says John Rilett, Director of Climate Change Central.

Biodiesel is a renewable fuel derived from agricultural oil seed crops like canola and soy. It can also be produced from animal fats and recycled greases. It can be burned in a standard diesel engine in a variety of blends.

The project will address the primary fuel quality areas of interest related to the adoption of biodiesel, including extreme cold weather operations and the introduction of ultra low sulphur diesel (ULSD).

The work will involve laboratory testing followed by on-road long-haul fleet use, which will include use of 2007 engines running on Canadian General Standards Board 3.520 specification biodiesel blends. The field trial is confined to Alberta long-haul fleets as the Alberta climate will pose some of the most extreme challenges to biodiesel use. The biodiesel demonstration project is expected to get underway in early 2007, with project completion in 2008, contingent upon confirmation of financial support.

The Canadian Trucking Alliance, which has been calling for comprehensive testing before regulators introduce any biodiesel mandate in Canada applauded the announcement.
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“The CTA looks forward to the commencement of the study as it will hopefully provide clarity to some of our concerns regarding the proposed introduction of a mandatory national biodiesel blend,” says Stephen Laskowski of the CTA. “This includes cold weather performance of biodiesel.”