|
|
Even during record production years the entire US biodiesel industry
uses less water than a handful of golf courses use to water their
lawns.
|
National Biodiesel Board
Director of Sustainability weighs in on water
"Water,
water, everywhere, Nor any drop to drink." This often quoted phrase
from the Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner reminds us that the earth is rich
in water resources. However, this water is not immediately useful
for most consumer needs. It takes energy to provide clean water in
a useful form. That's why use of renewable fuels such as biodiesel
is so important to secure our future access to clean water.
More
than two-thirds of the earth's surface is covered by vast oceans of
saltwater. Modern desalination plants can turn this plentiful
resource into endless supplies of fresh water, but this takes lots of
energy. Freshwater sources like lakes, rivers and groundwater
aquifers require treatment to remove natural and manmade impurities for
drinking water and other uses. Even the most pristine sources of water
require energy to move it by pumping or shipping it in containers, like
plastic bottles. With a planet covered in water, and the
realization that it takes energy to provide clean water in a useful form,
we quickly see that wise use of water and wise use of energy are linked.
That's
where biodiesel comes in. By switching to renewable fuels, like
biodiesel, we help ensure future access to energy and future access to
clean, fresh water. For every unit of energy put into producing
biodiesel, 4.5 units of renewable solar energy are stored in the usable
form of liquid fuel. Biodiesel is the best way to store energy from
the sun in a dense, liquid fuel for transportation uses, but it can also
be used as a renewable fuel for stationary uses such as the Thames Water
Desalination Plant in London. This plant will use biodiesel from
recycled fat and oil from London restaurants and households to provide
water for one million people.
We
must also protect our water resources by minimizing pollution.
Biodiesel production reduces wastewater by 78 percent and reduces
hazardous waste production by 96 percent compared to producing petroleum
diesel. These numbers are based on the entire lifecycle of the
fuel. The conversion of fats and oil to biodiesel uses very little
water, and can be done consuming no water at all, if necessary. The
year 2008 was a record year for biodiesel production in the US.
Even during that record production, the entire US industry used less
water than a handful of golf courses use to water their lawn. In
the context of our societal uses of water and the benefit it brings,
biodiesel production represents a very meager use of water.
Biodiesel
is nontoxic and biodegradable. This means the threat to the
environment is much less than conventional fuels if there happens to be
an accidental spill. Biodiesel also reduces the threat of water
pollution by utilizing wastes that otherwise present the need for
disposal and treatment. Biodiesel has long been made from recycled
kitchen waste, animal fats, and vegetable oils. New technologies
are being implemented now that intercept even more grease from sanitary
sewer systems. These existing and emerging technologies have
potential to revolutionize wastewater treatment and collection with
enormous benefits to public health and the environment worldwide.
Don
Scott serves as the Director of Sustainability for the National Biodiesel
Board. His previous experiences in protecting water resources include
eleven years as an Environmental Engineer for the Missouri Department of
Natural Resources and Chief of Surface Water for the Missouri Water
Resources Center.
World
Water Day (March 22) 2010 is designed "to raise awareness about
sustaining healthy ecosystems and human well-being through addressing the
increasing water quality challenges in water management and raise the
profile of water quality by encouraging governments, organizations,
communities, and individuals around the world to actively engage in
proactively addressing water quality e.g. in pollution prevention, clean
up and restoration."
###
For more details on biodiesel's
environmental benefits visit biodieselsustainability.com.
|
