Biodiesel Hybrids

by Chuck Hall

If there are any entrepreneurs looking for the Next Big Thing, I’m going to present an idea that may just help you along. I didn’t originate the idea, but so far I haven’t been able to find any material to indicate that anyone is working on it. Before I introduce it, a little background information is required.

One of the possible alternatives for fossil fuels is biofuels. Biofuels are fuels made from renewable plant materials. Some examples would be ethanol, which is a type of alcohol already used as an additive in gasoline, and biodiesel, which is a type of diesel fuel made from vegetable oils. In fact, the inventor of the diesel engine, Rudolph Diesel, intended it to run on pure peanut oil.

Biofuels sound good in that they are a renewable resource and burn cleaner than fossil fuels; however, research from the Earth Policy Institute estimates that in order for the United States to meet its current energy needs with biofuels, we’d need 250 million acres of land dedicated to growing crops for biofuel production. This is an area roughly the size of Texas, Arizona, Oklahoma and Louisiana combined. At first glance this seems like an impossible task, but these figures make a few assumptions. The first is that our fuel needs would remain at the same level that they are now. The second is that all of the vegetable material would have to come from crops. The third is that they’re not considering recycling.

Addressing the last two assumptions first, consider the fact that crops currently grown for food produce a fair amount of waste plant material. For example, we eat corn, but the stalks are thrown away, burned or plowed under. These waste products could instead be converted to biofuels. As for recycling, biodiesel can be made from discarded fryer vat grease from restaurants and other establishments. By recycling this instead of throwing it away, we could put another dent in those figures.

Finally, the figures from the Earth Policy Institute assume that our fuel consumption needs will remain constant. This is where we have the chance to make the biggest impact, in my opinion. Hybrid cars are the latest in fuel efficiency technology. It’s not uncommon for hybrid cars to achieve fuel efficiencies of 100 mpg. The problem is that hybrids still burn fossil fuels. But what if a hybrid car could be designed that would run on biofuels? According to current research biofuels could replace 20% to 25% of our fuel needs. If a hybrid car could run on biofuels at 100 mpg, and assuming that the average fossil fuel car gets 25 mpg, converting to biodiesel hybrids could theoretically meet all of our fuel needs without straining our current agricultural infrastructure. Imagine being able to drive from New York to Miami on a renewable, cleaner burning fuel source without having to stop to refuel! Biofuel hybrids could make this a reality.

Okay, entrepreneurs, it’s time to get busy!