Forty Broads hire boats to trial bio-diesel
News from the Broads Hire Boat Federation:
Forty holiday motor cruisers from eight boatyards will be trialling
bio-diesel by next year as part of a major, two-year project by the
Broads Hire Boat Federation.
Three boatyards have already started using the fuel, with nine of
their craft using 100% biodiesel. Similar “control” boats will be part
of the tests, using normal diesel fuel, for performance comparison
research. The biodiesel is manufactured by Global Commodities of
Dereham from recycled vegetable oils, making it very valuable in
reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
As part of the project the engine emissions from two cruisers were
tested last week to find out how much cleaner the bio-diesel is than
conventional fuel. Researchers from Newcastle University carried out
these tests and the results, to be published next month, will provide
positive evidence of the benefits of the fuel.
The environmentally friendly fuel has been the subject of earlier
research in this country and the USA, and evidence suggests that it has
many positive effects. Since biodiesel is made entirely from vegetable
oil it does not contain any sulphur, aromatic hydrocarbons, metals or
crude oil residues. The lack of toxic and carcinogenic aromatics and
the fact that the fuel burns more cleanly, giving lower ‘soot’ and CO
emissions, means that the combustion gases have a reduced effect on
human health. The detailed testing that is being carried out by
Newcastle University will quantify all these benefits.
The Broads is the first place in the UK to use substantial
quantities of this type of fuel in boats and, with growing interest
from visitors wishing to enjoy the natural environment without causing
damage, it should help to encourage sustainable growth in the holiday
trade.
Unfortunately, at present, the price of biodiesel is higher than
fossil diesel so financial support for the tests has been necessary.
The sum of £43,000 of the total project costs of £72,300 is being
provided by the Broads Authority’s Sustainable Development Fund, with
grant aid from DEFRA. However, as the price of conventional fuel rises,
any tax incentives introduced for bio-fuels may well make biodiesel
financially attractive and the experience gained from the project will
encourage much wider use.
Broads Hire Boat Federation Chairman, Ken Gaylard said,
“We are extremely pleased to be involved in this practical research
project on the Broads. When evaluated at the end of the two year
period, we expect that these trials will point the way towards an
environmentally friendly power source for Broads boats at an affordable
price.”
27/09/2005
