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STUDY SHOWS BIODIESEL PRODUCERS MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT THAN EVER
Feb. 4, 2010
Source: National Biodiesel Board news release
A peer-reviewed study released today adds a major volume to the library of research backing the environmental and energy benefits of biodiesel. The study further validates biodiesel's benefits over conventional fuel.
"Growing soybeans puts the plants to work pulling carbon from the air as they grow," said National Biodiesel Board Director of Sustainability Don Scott. "That's a natural renewable approach to making fuel for our nation."
Biodiesel can be made sustainably from a wide range of fats and oils, among the most common is soybean oil. When processed, soybeans are 80-percent meal as well as 20-percent oil. That offers an abundant supply of meal, commonly used for livestock feed and human food, as well as oil. The United Soybean Board today unveiled a life-cycle profile on U.S. soybean farming and processing that makes biodiesel's environmental record shine even brighter.
NBB helped compile data that went into the profile. It is the first comprehensive study covering U.S. soybean production by farmers through four biobased products, including biodiesel.
A National Biodiesel Board survey of biodiesel producers measured their actual energy use. This first national survey showed biodiesel producers use 27-percent less energy than previously estimated. The survey results also documented that in addition to improved energy efficiency biodiesel producers are implementing more water-saving technologies and selling more glycerin (a production byproduct) into high-grade markets.
Biodiesel reduces many vehicle emissions that are harmful to human health. USB's study did not extend to actual use of biodiesel in vehicles. However it proves the net emissions of producing biodiesel provides benefits over producing petroleum fuel. Most notably, biodiesel significantly cuts greenhouse gas emissions.
The 3.36 billion bushels of soybeans grown in the United States in 2009 removed the carbon equivalent of taking 21 million cars off the road when the figures are computed using the EPA's Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator.
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