Biodiesel
Biodiesel is a fuel that can be made from agricultural products, like soybeans, or from vegetable oils and animal fats, which are non-toxic and biodegradable energy sources.
Biodiesel is an attractive form of energy, because it can be used as a pure form in engines that run commercial diesel, without any modifications. This means that it can be used anywhere that diesel fuel is used today.
Even better, because of its additional lubricity, biodiesel can add to the life of diesel engines even in fairly low percentage blends.
Current Projects in Mississippi
Strategic Biomass Solutions is working to create a renewable energy industry in Mississippi, including the use of biodiesel. Mississippi has a strong agricultural industry from which to draw soybean production. This can help add value to farmers' crops, as well as provide flexibility with their feedstocks. This flexibility creates an excellent environment for technologies to emerge and presents a better product for the end user.
Currently, the predominant feedstock produced in Mississippi is soybean oil, of which nearly $115 million of soybeans are exported from Mississippi each year. Creating a new market for soy diesel in Mississippi and building soy diesel processing plants will help to diversify the state's economy and create job opportunities.
Basing the market for biodiesel on diesel consumption in the year 2000, we can assume a 20% mix is equal to approximately 320 million gallons per year. B-20, a 20% blend of biodiesel and regular diesel, currently cost about 15- 25 cents higher than commercial diesel. However, the business case is not complete without mentioning the byproducts created by the refining process.
Biodiesel, like ethanol, has multiple byproducts, which have market value as well. The most common byproducts include glycerin and fertilizer.
The valuable byproducts, combined with a capital cost that is approximately half that of ethanol, large market acceptance and the abundance of feedstocks currently available at a low price may have long lasting impacts to the Mississippi economy. They can also prove to be a valuable industry for the entire Southeast.
Biodiesel Uses in Mississippi
Soybeans are the most common agricultural product for making biodiesel. When soybeans are used to produce biodiesel, the fuel is commonly referred to as "soy diesel." Soybeans are compressed to squeeze out the soybean oil, which is then used for fuel. Soybeans are commonly used to produce biodiesel, because they are less costly than other oilseeds and are readily available.
Soy diesel is appealing, because it has been shown to improve the lubricity of diesel fuel, allowing engines to run smoother. It also cuts down on such unwanted emissions to the environment as sulfur, which is normally emitted when using diesel fuels.
However, biodiesel is not exclusive to soy diesel by any means. Many times, excess grease from restaurants or from industrial food processors can be recycled and used, leading to emissions that smell like french fries. Some may object to the smell produced by this type of biodiesel, but it is a small price to pay for a fuel that reduces emissions, improves engine efficiency and has the same power characteristics as commercial fuel.
Legislative Efforts for Biodiesel
Federal financial incentives also exist for biodiesel - most notably a $1.00 per gallon blender's credit and commodity reimbursements through the Commodity Credit Corporation that was included in the 2002 Farm Bill.
Studies
Mississippi Biodiesel Feasibility Study
Biodiesel: A Brief Overview
ATTRA (Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas)
2004 Biodiesel Handling and Use Guidelines
National Renewable Energy Laboratory