Biofuels Resources: Stories
First Round of Biodiesel Projects Reports Back (Spring 2005)
With interest in biodiesel rising, VSJF offered a round of grants during the summer of 2004 to spur demand and increase experience with the fuel in heating and transportation systems. The first recipients, Vermont Law School and Sugarbush Resort, reported positive results from both pilots.
The Vermont Law School chose its Julien and Virginia Cornell Library as their test facility. Their goal was to introduce biodiesel into the building's heating mix as part of the school's commitment to the environment, and as a way to support the local economy. By doing so, the school's staff expected to learn about the fuel's performance in real world settings and gauge the development of the supply system.
Upon receiving the grant, the school's staff contracted with a local fuel company to deliver the product, which took place last November. Facilities staff mixed B100 with #2 fuel oil. A second batch arrived later in the winter allowing completion of the pilot. Physical Plant Director John Delemarre observed the need to resolve infrastructure and distribution issues that cropped up with VLS deliveries. Regarding the actual use of biodiesel, he reported that the fuel worked "flawlessly" with "no obvious problems." Delemarre noted that pricing is becoming more competitive and encouraged more fuel suppliers to enter the market.
The Sugarbush pilot focused on using biodiesel for transportation. Faced with rising concerns in the ski industry about global warming, Sugarbush Resort's Green Team formulated a plan to increase use of renewable resources, including biodiesel. Prior to the 2004-2005 winter operating season, the resort reported that all of its snow grooming and removal equipment at its two mountains ran on petrodiesel. The goal of their pilot was to document the performance of biodiesel in Vermont's challenging winter environment.
The pilot involved initial tests with B20 in mowing tractors during the summer, which provided baseline experience with the fuel. The resort's staff drew upon their knowledge later when they operated four groomers and a bucket loader at Mt. Ellen in the winter.
Upon completion, Sugarbush Environmental Coordinator Tim Jones reported that vehicle operators did not have to make any alterations to the machinery or fuel storage facilities, and that all tests had satisfactory outcomes. Dave Mosher, VP of Mountain Operations and Head of Grooming put it this way, "We saw no difference using B20 compared to regular diesel. If we hadn't told operators and mechanics we were using it they would have never known."
In addition, the vehicle operators reported noticeable decreases in emissions and noxious odors. The resort also gained recognition for its leadership including support from staff and skiers expressed at the resort's Sustainable Slopes Day program.
Win Smith, President of Sugarbush Resort Operations, commented, "Sugarbush Resort was pleased with the opportunity to run a successful biodiesel pilot program and participate in the VSJF grant process. We strive to run our business operations as efficiently as possible while remaining environmentally conscious. The Mt. Ellen Biodiesel Pilot project has met these objectives."
In both pilots cost was a factor as infrastructure issues and low supplies keep biodiesel prices high. However, prices for regular diesel are rising, and the new biodiesel tax incentives are beginning to kick in. At the same time, users are gaining experience and the fuel infrastructure is responding to increased demand. Notes Ed Delhagen, interim director at VSJF, "We anticipate that the combination of increased demand and larger volume requests will foster the economies of scale needed to make this product more widely available at affordable prices. With each successful pilot project, we take another step closer toward achieving that end."
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