Biofuel an alternate energy option in some cases, not all
As the gas prices continue to creep towards the $2/litre mark in our region, the talk of becoming less oil-dependent grows.
One of those alternative renewable sources is Biofuel.
“It is living stuff, for example, the trees, the grass, the algae, the food waste come from biomass, from the crop crops or from residue,” says Western University Chemical Engineering professor Charles Xu.
The price difference between biofuel and petroleum-based fuel is still quite high. Meaning a switch isn’t feasible for passenger vehicles, but one of the biggest impacts you could see is in home heating.
“Enbridge has they have a voluntary renewable natural gas program,” says Brandon Moffatt, vice president of development at Stormfisher, an American company that has a Biofuel production facility in London.
“You as the homeowner can opt in to be using some of our gas as a part of your supply. And so it's a new program that just released and this fuel here in Ontario and specifically in London, is being used in that program.”
Moffatt says Stormfisher is seeing a growing number of companies and municipalities taking a look at the circular economy.
“So they want to take their green bit organics produce renewable natural gas at a place like ours, and then put that back in a natural gas pipeline and maybe use it on solid waste vehicles,” Moffatt says.
With the price of oil projected to rise to record highs at least for the next year, that difference in price is narrowing.
“our price, while higher is kind of static, where the price of fossil fuels are getting more expensive,” says Moffatt. “And with the addition of a carbon tax, you're closing the cost parity, and so people want to reduce their carbon emissions. Our fuel becomes a very viable option.”
Couple that with a carbon tax that will progressively increase over the next 30 years, becoming carbon neutral will be necessary for many companies, says Xu.
“So this will drive more, shift more interest, and also more investment into the BioFuel sectors,” Xu says.
The Canadian government has set a target to be Net Zero on Carbon Emission by the year 2050.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6972130.1721585719!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Justin Trudeau reacts to Joe Biden announcing he won't run for re-election
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responded to the news that U.S. President Joe Biden won’t run for re-election Sunday, calling Biden a 'true friend.'
Joe Biden drops out of 2024 race, endorses Kamala Harris to be Democratic nominee
U.S. President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 race for the White House on Sunday, ending his bid for re-election after doubts were raised about his fitness for office. Soon after, he endorsed Vice-President Kamala Harris to take his place in the November election.
Joe Biden wants to pass the baton to Kamala Harris. Here's how that might work
With U.S. President Joe Biden ending his re-election bid and endorsing Vice-President Kamala Harris, Democrats now must navigate a shift that is unprecedented this late in an election year.
The pilot who died in crash after releasing skydivers near Niagara Falls has been identified
NEW YORK (AP) — Officials on Sunday released the name of a pilot who died in a skydiving flight after her passengers jumped from the aircraft near the Niagara Falls.
Canadian musicians struggle to get visas to perform in the U.S., some cancel shows
Backlogs and processing delays of temporary U.S. visas required by entertainers, athletes and artists has forced some Canadian bands to cancel U.S. tour dates because paperwork wasn't processed in time.
Ottawa man waiting nearly a year for car to be fixed at Acura dealership
An Ottawa man says he’s been waiting nearly a year for his car to be repaired after it was damaged during a storm in August.
Woman found dead in the water near Sunset Beach: Vancouver police
Investigators were at Vancouver’s Sunset Beach after a woman’s body was found in the water Sunday morning, according to authorities.
Joy in Newfoundland after 'Lucky 7' fishers survive harrowing days lost at sea
There was a powerful word being repeated in the joyful Newfoundland community of New-Wes-Valley on Sunday: 'Miracle.'
Trudeau and family head to British Columbia for vacation in unnamed location
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will head to British Columbia on Sunday, where he will be on vacation with his family until Aug. 1.