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16 NOVEMBER 2016 | FUEL OIL NEWS | www.fueloilnews.com THE CLEANLINESS OF BIOHEAT BLENDS Bioheat blends are not just an alternative to natural gas, but a cleaner alternative, says John Huber, president of the National Oilheat Research Alliance (NORA). Huber addressed that and related subjects at the Southern New England Energy Conference and the NORA Technical Workshop, both held in September in Newpor t, R.I. At the Energy Conference Huber's presentation covered a NORA study that concluded bioheat blends are cleaner than natural gas, and highlighted some of the key ways transitioning to bioheat can contribute to a low-carbon future. At the Technical Workshop, Huber says, there was extended discussion about the international response to global warming. That response includes a no-carbon solution, no heating oil or strong moves to solar or wind, Huber says. Here in the U.S., "Bioheat is our best opportunity to transition our fuel to [a] low-carbon future," Huber says. With advances in technology, it is possible for heating oil systems to become the best systems for both home and environment, he says. "There are some major technical hurdles to accomplish this, but it is doable," Huber says, "and as an industry, we need to commit to that future." The industr y has to understand the science of global warming, including the dif ferent ways environmentalists look at how fossil fuels impact the environment, Huber says. He lists the critical points: methane—the main ingredient in natural gas—is "a ver y strong greenhouse gas in the shor t term"; and blends of biodiesel and heating oil generate less greenhouse gas emissions compared to natural gas. " There is no environmental reason to favor natural gas," Huber says. Biodiesel is showing strong per formance results in NORA's testing, Huber says. The tests are not turning up technical issues with using biodiesel, he says. "NORA is working to ensure that the biodiesel [of the] future will be better than the fuel [dealers] sell today," Huber says. "Bioheat will take an increasing share of the oil heating market as the years move on. Many states and [communities] in heating oil countr y are requiring its use, and many dealers are now putting in the infrastructure to use the fuel." —Maura Keller 16 NOVEMBER 2016 | FUEL OIL NEWS | www.fueloilnews.com specs, Devine says. Marketers who think they don't need to worry about cold flow or monoglycerides because a biodiesel meets specs are courting trouble, he says. "It is critical that you source the right biodiesel for where you are distributing," he emphasizes. "If you are distributing in colder climates and you have outside tanks, you want to make sure you are purchasing a lower-cloud biodiesel and lower levels of monoglycerides." The cloud point is the temperature of the fuel at which small, solid crystals can be observed as the fuel cools. "Ultimately the distributor is responsible for the fuel they are distributing, so it is imperative that they understand the cold flow of their heating oil, diesel fuel and biodiesel," Devine says. "It's also important that they are sourcing the right material." The marketing of the fuel as a force for environmental good can strongly influence some consumers. The demographics of biodiesel aficionados tend to skew a bit on the younger side, and tend to be more female, Devine says. However, Devine sees biodiesel beginning to cross various demographics lines because it is domestically produced. In marketing biodiesel to customers, Devine says, dealers get out of it what they put into it. "If you make a commitment to biodiesel and bioheat and you make the investment to educate and do the outreach to your employees, customers and marketplace, they will understand the benefits. And you will see the benefits of your efforts," Devine says. Industry experts predict the increased use of biodiesel is going to continue long-term. Citing unused capacity and data showing that biomass-based diesel consumption in 2016 will significantly exceed 2.1 billion gallons, the National Biodiesel Board is calling for at least a 2.5 billion gallon requirement under the RFS for 2018. l F O N GOING GREEN WITH BIODIESEL Bioheat blends are not just an alternative to natural gas, but a cleaner alternative, says John Huber Energy Conference and the NORA Technical Workshop, both held in September