Trial commences for 100% renewable diesel
The Queensland-based program is using waste plastic, old vehicle tyres, agriculture, forestry waste and biosolids to feed a Scania test engineAn Australian-first trial using 100 per cent renewable diesel to fuel a Scania V8 test engine has commenced, with the $25 million program to assess exhaust emissions, performance, fuel efficiency, cost and engine life in comparison to traditional petroleum-based diesel.
Southern Oil’s Advanced Biofuels Pilot Plant at Yarwun, near Gladstone, is driving the trial, with the renewable diesel fuel made from waste plastic, old vehicle tyres, agriculture, forestry waste and biosolids.
The trial falls under the ruling Palaszczuk Government’s Advance Queensland Industry Attraction Fund.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said renewable diesel is a much greener alternative to mineral diesel.
“Our government is committed to creating a sustainable, export-oriented biofutures industry in Queensland,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“Over the next 12 to 18 months, Southern Oil will be trialling renewable diesel in the test engine to show it performs identically to petroleum-based diesel in terms of performance and wear-and-tear on the engine.
“This trial is a critical milestone for the development of the renewable fuel industry in Queensland.
“Warranty by an original equipment manufacturer like Scania is also crucial to commercialisation and uptake of the fuel, as it must have the identical performance and characteristics of fossil fuel.”
Southern Oil Refinery and SynBio Managing Director Tim Rose said Queensland is leading the country in biofutures and renewable fuels.
“We’re witnessing the first step toward proving renewable diesel refined in Queensland from waste products can be chemically indistinguishable from petroleum-based diesel,” Mr Rose said.
“Having a company like Scania endorse our fuel is crucial to creating commercial demand for our diesel and moving from pilot scale into demonstration scale.
“Today’s demonstration shows there’s a huge opportunity to produce 100 per cent renewable diesel fuel in Queensland from waste.
“We could also see a reduction in industry’s reliance on fossil fuels.”
To learn more about the Palaszczuk Government’s biofutures action plan, click here.
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