Trial revs up on Australian-first 100 per cent renewable diesel

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Power Torque Magazine  /  April 2019

An Australian-first trial using 100 per cent renewable diesel to fuel a Scania V8 stationary engine in power generation is up and running.

The joint development between the Palaszczuk Government and Southern Oil’s Advanced Biofuels Pilot Plant at Yarwun, near Gladstone, is pioneering the refining of renewable diesel fuel made from waste plastic, old vehicle tyres, agriculture and forestry waste, and biosolids.

The  Scania V8 test engine is being used in its power generation configuration for the testing – allowing assessment of exhaust emissions, performance and response, fuel efficiency, cost and engine lifetime.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said a state-based renewable fuels industry would underpin Queensland’s domestic fuel security for decades to come.

“Over the next 12-to-18 months, Southern Oil will be trialling renewable diesel in the test engine to show it performs identically to petroleum-based diesel in terms of performance and wear-and-tear on the engine.

“Southern Oil is also aiming to build a commercial-scale renewable fuel refinery within five years, which would create significant job opportunities and improve domestic fuel security for our state.

Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning, Cameron Dick said the Palaszczuk Government is committed to delivering a $1 billion sustainable and export-oriented biotechnology and bioproducts sector by 2026.

Before warranty is secured, an estimated one million litres of the renewable diesel will be trialled at Southern Oil’s advanced biofuels laboratory – the leading facility of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.

Southern Oil Refinery and SynBio Managing Director Tim Rose said Queensland is leading the country in biofutures and renewable fuels.

“We’re witnessing the first step toward proving renewable diesel refined in Queensland from waste products can be chemically indistinguishable from petroleum-based diesel,” Mr Rose said.

“Having a company like Scania endorse our fuel is crucial to creating commercial demand for our diesel and moving from pilot scale into demonstration scale.

“Today’s demonstration shows there’s a huge opportunity to produce 100 per cent renewable diesel fuel in Queensland from waste.

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