What is Biofuel?

Biofuels, such as Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME) and Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), are renewable energy sources derived from organic materials. FAME is produced through the transesterification of fats or oils, while HVO is created by hydrogenating vegetable oils. 

For these fuels to be considered near net-zero, they must release an amount of carbon dioxide equivalent to that captured in creating the biomass resource material. 

Adoption of biofuel is currently limited by sustainable resource and fuel availability globally

Biofuel challenge

Biodiesel is considered a "drop in" fuel because existing technology (infrastructure and engines) for diesel can be used, however the impacts of varying fuel properties from different feedstock types are uncertain.

Biodiesel challenge

Advantages and disadvantages of biodiesel

  • Advantages
  • Disadvantages
  1. Low risk of environmental contamination: in the event of a spill, biodiesel poses a lower risk of environmental contamination than other fuels as it is biodegradable.
  2. Compatibility: Biodiesel is considered a “drop in” fuel, functionally equivalent to petroleum, as it requires little or no modification to existing diesel technology.
  3. Safe operation: Safety is not considered a new challenge for the industry, as existing safety mitigations for diesel are well established and can be applied to biodiesel.
  1. Feedstock sustainability challenges: large-scale production of (1st and 2nd generation) biodiesel may require significant amounts of land and water resources, creating sustainability implications.
  2. Feedstock demand: there is competing demand for feedstock from other sectors, and conflict over the best use of feedstock e.g., food (1st generation biodiesel).
  3. Uncertainties: Its lower energy value, sensitivity to oxidation stability and affinity to microbial activity and material compatibility need to be understood and addressed when stored and in use on board ship. 

Differences between biodiesel fuels

Different generations of biofuels have been defined, with increasing potential for generating high quantities of sustainable feedstock.

  1. 1st generation biodiesel is produced from edible vegetable oils, animal fats or oils and fats that are primarily used for food
  2. 2nd generation biodiesel is produced from lignocellulosic biomass and other waste streams such as agricultural residues and used cooking oils
  3. 3rd generation biodiesels are produced from non-food feedstocks and are characterised by high yield and rapid growth rates. Feedstocks include micro- and macro-algae.

FAME feedstock may be any generation of feedstock.