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College of Engineering, University of Idaho - November 21, 2009

College of Engineering

Office of the Dean
College of Engineering
Janssen Engineering 125
PO Box 441011
Moscow, ID 83844-1011
http://www.engr.uidaho.edu/
deanengr@uidaho.edu
Office: 208.885.6479
Fax: 208.885.6645

 

 

 

 

 

 

University Analysis Shows Biodiesel Yields Positive Energy Balance

University of Idaho researchers say "flawed information" is fueling the debate about biodiesel energy balance.

The Idaho biodiesel researchers' analysis shows the fuel from renewable sources produces far more energy for consumers than it takes to make.

Biodiesel is an alternative fuel made from renewable resources such as rapeseed, canola, soy or mustard oil and is one of the most thoroughly tested alternative fuels in the marketplace. Dependency on fossil fuels is reduced by increasing the availability of biodiesel in the U.S.

Dev Shrestha, Unversity of Idaho professor in biological and agricultural engineering, and Jon Van Gerpen, the school's lead researcher in biodiesel production, presented their findings at a biodiesel conference in San Diego last month.

Detailed information from a study conducted by U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Energy and published by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory shows biodiesel's energy return to be over 300 percent greater than the fossil-based fuel energy used to produce the alternative fuel.

In addition, Shrestha is working on a current federal research project evaluating the energy balance of biodiesel. Early results indicate similar, if not even higher, efficiency, particularly when recycled oils such as restraint waste oils are used.

You can learn more about Biodiesel Energy Balance (pdf) research by visiting the Biodiesel Education resources of the Biological & Agricultural Engineering department.

March 7, 2006