Is Biofuel A Renewable Energy Source?
There is clear evidence about biofuel. Many reputable and trusted sources state that a biofuel is a renewable form of energy. As a matter of fact, many industry insiders agree that it is the most economical way of reducing our need for pure fossil fuels. What’s more, using this fuel is the quickest method of reducing the country’s carbon footprint while attaining carbon neutrality by the year 2050.
Its benefits don’t end there.
After all, switching from traditional oil heat to biofuel won’t cause Americans a small fortune. This is unlike using other renewable energy types, such as wind and solar. Most homes can already handle the use of biofuel.
Read on to know more about the following topics:
- A Brief Primer On Renewable Energy
- Two Types Of Biofuels: Ethanol & Biodiesel
- The Global & Personal Benefits Of Switching To Biofuel
This way, you will discover the truth regarding biofuel that the media doesn’t want you to know about.
Achieving A Better Understanding of Renewable Energy
Contents
Renewable energy, as per Eia.gov, has many different sources with the main ones being the following:
- Solar
- Wind
- Geothermal
- Water
- Biomass, including municipal and wood waste, biofuel, and biogas
The United States consumes only 12% of renewable energy as of the year 2020. However, the U.S. government and the top corporations in the country and worldwide are committed to change. What is interesting is that all of Townsend Energy‘s fuel oil clients already use biofuel automatically at no added cost. Our company ALREADY delivers our BioPure™ heating oil, which is made from a liquid renewable fuel called biodiesel.
Renewable energy is strictly defined as generating energy through sources that renew or replenish naturally over time. It means energy is created from inexhaustible sources.
Renewable Energy’s Role in the U.S.
In the 1800s, the biggest energy provider in the U.S. was wood. It was used for cooking, lighting, and home heating. However, the late 1800s saw fossil fuels taking over, and they have been our primary source since then.
The U.S. has recently started working towards carbon emission reduction at a quick pace. Therefore, the country is now more committed to the development of newer renewable sources, such as wind energy, solar energy, geothermal energy, and biofuels. The U.S. reached its highest record of the production and consumption of renewable energy to date in 2020. This trend is also expected to continue.
Two Types of Biofuels: Ethanol & Biodiesel
The two main biofuel types are biodiesel and ethanol. The Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) states that the next-generation biofuel forms are derived from non-food substances, such as cellulosic materials and algae-based ingredients.
Advancements in petroleum substitutes, like “drop-in” fuels, are being made to replace the need for oil. These hydrocarbon-based biofuels can be used in vehicles, small engines, pipelines, and pumps.
The Truth About Ethanol
Also called CH3CH20H, ethanol is a powerful renewable energy source. It is derived from biomass, which is a collection of various plant materials. It is primarily an alcohol type that’s mixed with gasoline.
There are two reasons behind this. The first one is that it reduces the amount of carbon monoxide that’s causing pollution and smog in the atmosphere. The second is because it increases octane. As a result, you get a better, cleaner, and stronger fuel.
Ethanol is made of sugars and plant starches for the most part. However, science improves our technology each day. Scientists are now developing methods and technologies so that it is possible to use cellulose and hemicellulose. These are nonedible fibrous materials that create plant matter bulk, which comes in a plentiful supply and are undoubtedly renewable sources.
The most common method of biomass to ethanol conversion is fermentation. Microorganisms, such as bacteria and yeast, metabolize plant sugars to produce ethanol.
The Various Uses of Ethanol
Fuel automobiles predominantly use ethanol. It is mainly blended with gasoline to increase its octane rating. This is because this mixture produces a safer, cleaner, and more environmentally friendly fuel that is better for the environment, your car, and more.
It can also be added to alcoholic beverages, used as an industrial cleaner, and even as a solvent. It is a clean, renewable fuel that is ideal in helping us move towards a greener and cleaner world.
What Is Biodiesel?
Biodiesel is created in liquid form from renewable energy sources. It is made from vegetable oils and animal fats, providing a clean-burning alternative to petroleum-derived diesel fuels.
Biodiesel is also non-toxic and biodegradable. It is produced by using recycled cooking grease, vegetable oil substances, or animal fat. Like diesel fuel made from petroleum, this fuel source is ready to use in compression ignition engines, otherwise known as diesel fuel engines.
For home heating, biodiesel can be mixed with ultra-low sulfur heating oil (ULSHO). BioPure™ fuel oil is a product that’s used for all our clients. It is a solution created using this blend of biodiesel and ULSHO.
Blend Ratios for Biodiesel and ULSHO
Biodiesel and ULSHO are available in many concentrations. Therefore, there are a wide variety of blends. A few of the most common blends are mixed with soy-based fuels to become a cleaner energy source with lower carbon emissions. The popular blends are the following:
- B5 is a typical blend that can contain up to 5% biodiesel.
- B20 is the blend we currently deliver to our clients. It is made of 20% biodiesel fuel and 80% ultra-low sulfur heating oil.
- B50 is like B20, except it’s a 50/50 mix of ULSHO and soy.
- B100 is the ultimate home heating oil industry’s goal. With this blend, our liquid renewable fuel solution is entirely derived from renewable energy sources.
The Facts & Benefits of Bioheat® Heating Oil
The b20 mixture of Bioheat® fuel is what Townsend Energy currently delivers for home heating. This green fuel is the heating industry’s prototype and the intended direction to move towards eliminating carbon emissions completely.
The current 80/20 Bioheat® oil mix meets all the prescribed quality levels needed per the ASTM standards. What’s more, is that it offers many benefits to reduce our overall carbon output, among others. Some of these benefits are:
- It is made with quality ingredients – Bioheat® fuel meets the industry’s strictest quality standards. Therefore, it is efficient, safe, and more environmentally friendly overall.
- It’s better for the economy – There are 62,000 jobs existing in the U.S. thanks to Bioheat® heating oil and the biodiesel industry. This number will grow as time passes as more homeowners and businesses continue to adopt this clean energy source.
- It is ideal for the environment – The main goal of developing renewable energy is to reduce and eventually eliminate carbon emissions. This fuel currently reaches this goal on a smaller scale. However, its overall goal is the creation of a plant-based renewable fuel that doesn’t emit any greenhouse gas emissions.
- It’s better for your wallet – This fuel is not only affordable as it also works with your existing oil heating system. For instance, switching to solar power will likely cost you $20,000 or more after you’ve paid a lot for the removal of your old system and the installation of your new one. Remember that converting your home to an all-electric system doesn’t give your home the same BTU level output for comfort during the coldest days of the winter season.
Switching to Biofuels to Heat Your Home: Global & Personal Benefits
Hopefully, you are starting to see that biofuel is a better and cleaner choice for the global environment overall. Several of the primary reasons to switch to biofuels for home heating include:
- You don’t need to modify your current heating system – You can use BioPure™ heating oil with your current heating system. This eliminates the need to switch heating systems, so you save money on paying a professional to remove the old system and replace it with a new heating unit.
- It’s a dependable fuel source for home heating – This fuel is dependable and safe. It is also quick and easy to store in a tank that’s located on your property. You never have to go through disruptions with your fuel supply or weather interruptions, like what you might experience with solar energy or wind power.
- It’s renewable so it’s green – It is cleaner compared to traditional heating oil. This fuel has the cleanest burn imaginable, meaning it surpasses the EPA air pollution standards. Moreover, the industry is constantly improving the blend ratios to create an even greener liquid renewable fuel solution.
- It offers worthwhile financial benefits – The main advantages of using this fuel are that you’ll need fewer repairs, have increased efficiency, and have the potential for tax credits if you are eligible within your state.
- Efficiency is the name of the game – Biofuel has an intensely hot flame, so it can heat water and provide a warm living space quickly. In addition, new advancements will result in your heating system needing less fuel to provide you with the same output as oil heat.
Conclusion
Homeowners appreciate having an environmentally friendly, affordable, and clean fuel for home heating. BioPure™ heating oil is a liquid renewable source that offers many advantages. Most crucial of which is its sustainability, dependability, and it is great for the environment. This fuel is certainly an affordable, eco-friendly way for home heating.
Call Townsend Energy To Schedule A BioPure™ Heating Oil Delivery
Please call Townsend Energy to learn more about switching to BioPure™ fuel oil throughout New England. We can immediately start providing you with more efficient, cleaner, and environmentally-friendly home heating oil instead of your regular heating oil. You’ll also be doing your part in helping to preserve this wonderful planet for future generations by lowering your carbon emissions. Click the button below to learn more.
Contact us now at (800) 722-4101 to find out more!