energy.agwired.com

As the debate continues to rage over using some foodstuffs for fuel, there seems to be a plant that could solve the issue. The jatropha plant from Africa has been used for centuries as a natural hedge. Now, it could be a natural substitute for plants such as soybeans in the search for feedstocks for biodiesel.

This story on CNNMoney.com says BP has a $160-million deal with British biodiesel producer Dl Oils to become the world’s largest producer of jatropha oil by 2011. Company officials hope to have nearly three million acres under cultivation within the next four years. That will put out about two million tons annually… the equivilant of nearly 20 percent of Europe’s forecatsed biodiesel demand:

“The deal with Dl is all about developing a biofuels business,” says BP spokeswoman Wendy Silcock. Half of the 12 countries targeted for bulk plantings are in Africa.

Because it can grow year-round in arid soil and is inedible, jatropha won’t innate food prices or take up valuable cropland. Africa is considered ideal because of its proximity to European markets and low land and labor costs. “Jatropha is low input,” says Steve Douty, executive director of Dl Oils. “It survives where others don’t. It also grows best 25 degrees south or north of the equator. A big chunk of Africa is in that band.”

The article goes on to say that the plant is good for African farmers because it grows well in poor soils, comes to maturity faster than other biodiesel feedstocks such as palm oil, and doubles as a natural fence for their livestock. It’s already popular as a source for biodiesel in other areas such as India and China, as well as the builder of a 320-million-gallon-a-year biodiesel along the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia. In addition, researchers at the University of Florida are looking at growing the plant here in the U.S. (see my post on August 31st).

Engineers for the company developing a 320-million-gallon-a-year biodiesel plant on a river around Chesapeake Bay in Virginia have looked at the possible impact the facility would have on the surrounding wetlands.

WAVY-TV in Portsmouth, VA reports that the facility will be on the Elizabeth River:

“Our site is designed every step of the way to minimize any impact on the environment. We will generate no wastewater from the process. We will have negligible air emissions, we are designing the site with the wetlands in mind, ” according to Chemical Engineer, John Henderson.

The article doesn’t directly state it, but I believe Smiling Earth Energy (check out the cool logo!) is still the one developing the project. The story does go on to say that the projetc has already received approval of the local planning commission, and the city council will consider it later this month.

Five departments of the City of Pocatello, Idaho are making the switch to biodiesel for their fleet of vehicles.

This story from KIFI-TV says the move comes after months of careful planning:

[T]he City of Pocatello has initiated a Biodiesel Pilot Project with a portion of the City’s diesel fleet. The current pilot project will be initially conducted with B20, a mixture of 80 percent No. 2 diesel and 20 percent biodiesel.

Delivery of 7,000 gallons of biodiesel was accepted at the City’s 1st Avenue refueling facility on Wednesday, August 15, 2007.

During cold weather, the biodiesel blend will be reduced to B10 to avoid cold – flow problems. This evaluation process will aid the City in reaching a determination regarding the effectiveness of biodiesel in the City fleet, as well as the costs and benefits associated with using biodiesel for the remainder of City diesel vehicles.

Biodiesel is made at just one plant in Idaho using Midwestern soybean oil, but researchers from the State of Idaho and the University of Idaho are looking to come up with locally produced materials as the feedstock.