Transcript ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP AT CHANNEL ISLANDS …

BIODIESEL USE IN THE
NATIONAL PARKS
Federal Laboratory Consortium
Far West and Mid-Continent
Regional Conference
Kurt Buehler
NFESC
Monterey, CA
September 14,
2005
Kent Bullard
Maintenance
Supervisor
805-658-5745
[email protected]
Or- Greening Park Facilities
with Biodiesel
Biodiesel and biodiesel blends are significantly
reducing many park operations use of
nonrenewable fuel resources.
Biodiesel also has the potential to make some
operations petroleum free.
Biodiesel is just one of the important tools
incorporated into the sustainability
programs at the operational level.
What is Biodiesel ?
Biodiesel (Methyl Esters) is a diesel
replacement fuel made from virgin
vegetable oils. It can also be made
from recycled restaurant grease.
100% biodegradable
Biodiesel lowers toxic emissions and
particulate matter
Biodiesel is safe to store, and has a
high flash point
Over a century ago, Rudolph Diesel
first used Biofuel to power his
engines.
Why Use Biodiesel ?
Reduced Emissions
Biodiesel’s main emission attributes are the reduction
of all criteria emissions with the exception of NOx.
The reduction if particulate matter can be up to 55%
which is of particular importance to school bus fleets.
The NOx increase is often used to block biodiesel
implementation, but with treatment this issue can be
managed.
Why Use Biodiesel ?
Lubricity
In blends as low as 1 percent, biodiesel
can be used as a lubricity additive to bring
low or ultra low sulfur diesel fuels into
compliance with EMA recommendations.
Why Use Biodiesel ?
RENEWABLE!
It has a closed carbon cycle
It works in existing diesel
engines with no modification.
Has positive life cycle returns
Reduces emissions
It is an immediate solution.
It requires no new refueling
infrastructure.
Biodiesel provides direct aid to
US farmers and producers.
Less toxic in the marine
environment.
Buys time until cleaner
technology is available.
Provides lubricity even is
small blends with ULS Diesel.
Directly reduces our use of
petroleum fuels.
Does not utilize sequestered
hydrocarbons.
Why Use Biodiesel ?
 The Energy Policy Act (EPACT) of 1992 and Executive
Order 13149 mandate federal agencies to acquire
Alternative Fuel Vehicles (AFVs). Since 1999, the federal
fleets are required to obtain 75% of their light-duty
annual acquisitions as AFVs in Metropolitan Statistical
Areas (MSAs). Vehicles acquired outside of the MSAs
also count towards an agency’s percentage, but are not
required. Section 301 of EPACT defines alternative fuels
as: “methanol, denatured alcohol, mixtures containing
up to 85% methanol or denatured ethanol, natural gas,
propane (liquefied petroleum gas), biodiesel, hydrogen,
and electricity.”
GSA B20 Policy Statement
Dear GSA Fleet Customer,
GSA Fleet has received several customer requests to use a 20% blend of Biodiesel (B20), in diesel vehicles leased from
us. We have studied the use of B20 at a pilot program site and analyzed the service and cost requirements of the
program.
Based on our B20 experience, we are approving it in GSA Fleet vehicles, provided that the customer agency assumes
any additional operational costs. Prior to using B20, the customer agency is required to sign a "Terms and Conditions of
B20 Use" application. Please remember that the application must be signed by the requesting customer installation. A
signed copy needs to be sent to your local Fleet Service Representative or Fleet Management Center and Central Office,
attn: Scott Stockton, or Kathryn Miller, AFV Program Managers.
As always, we appreciate your business. GSA Fleet is working hard to provide you with quality service to help you meet
your requirements. If you have any questions regarding this issue, please contact Scott at (703) 308-1641, or Kathryn at
(703) 305-5973, or myself at (703) 605-5630
Sincerely,
William Webster
Director, GSA Fleet
Problems With Biodiesel
Engine Manufactures and Warranty
Operator Acceptance
Fuel Hose and Systems
Material Compatibility
Availability
Cost
Cold Flow
Channel Islands National Park
 Consists of five islands and the
surrounding mile of ocean,
totaling 249,489 acres.
 The Park is one of the least
visited in the system with less
than 100,000 visitors on the
islands per year.
 The isolation of the islands has
protected them from
development but now
challenges park management
in providing energy services.
Implementing a variety
of sustainable practices.
Currently the Park has 76
renewable energy systems in use.
Providing 29 kW of
Remote Power for
Water PumpingCommunicationsResource MonitoringFacility PowerSolar Thermal-
Green Energy Achievements @
Channel Islands National Park.
 Over 28,000 gallons of diesel fuel used for generation
on the islands has been eliminated or precluded
through the utilization of renewable energy systems.
 Annual Emission Savings =
 333 Tons of Carbon Dioxide.
16,000 Pounds of Nitrous-Oxides.
616 Pounds of Total Suspended Particulates (TSP)
1372 Pounds of Hydrocarbons.
800 Pounds of Sulfur Dioxides.
2,300 Pounds of Carbon Monoxide.
And don't forget the motor oil use and generation of
hazardous waste.
Other Sustainable Programs
Alternative Fueled Vehicles
Green Building Materials
Water Conservation
Recycling @ Work
Energy Conservation
Environmental Management Systems
Marine Transportation.
 Annually over 70,000 gallons
of diesel fuel is used by the
parks boat fleet.
 Options were limited due to
operational demands.
 An article in a solar journal
on the Sunrider hit the spot.
 For over seven years I’ve had
a biodiesel sample sitting on
my desk.
Marine Biodiesel Program
 In 1998 a funding request thorough
the “Green Energy Parks” program
identified a project to operate one
of the parks research vessels on
B100 along with fuel for Anacapa
and Santa Barbara Islands.
 In August 2000 the park
biodiesel program was
implemented.
 To date the park has used over
60,000 gallons of biodiesel.
“Sea Ranger II”
Launched in October
2001
Powered by twin
Caterpillar 3406
engines specified for
neat biodiesel.
Average biodiesel use
@ 800-1,000 gallons
per month.
58’ Fiberglass
More to Come
The next step was to convert the remaining
park operations to either B20 or B100.
The park is currently finalizing plans to begin
testing an additional 20,000 gallons of B100
from fuels produced in Ventura County.
The ultimate goal would be to make the park
“Petroleum Free”
More Applications
Vehicle and Equipment Operations on Santa Rosa
and Santa Cruz Islands- 5 generators, 23 vehicles
(14 GSA) and 16 pieces of equipment.
The Ocean Ranger, 100’ Crew Boat, 3 GM 60
Series, 535 HP Mains, re-engined January 2003
The Surf Ranger, 74’ LCM-8 Landing Craft 4 GM
672s in 6 pack configuration.
BIODIESEL IN THE
NATIONAL PARKS
Yellowstone National Park, The University of Idaho and the Montana
Department of Environmental Quality first pioneered biodiesel with
the “Truck in the Park Program”. The project placed an unaltered
diesel pickup truck into service in Yellowstone National Park, fueled
the truck with 100 percent rapeseed ethyl ester, and monitored
performance and emissions.
The program started in 1995 and
has since demonstrated biodiesel
use in all weather conditions while
covering over 160,000 miles of
operation.
BIODIESEL IN THE
NATIONAL PARKS
In 1988 a partnership between the US
Department of Energy and the National Park
Service was created.
This “Green Energy Program” has promoted the
application of a variety of sustainable energy
programs in National Park Areas.
Fourteen National Park areas piloted biodiesel
utilization through this program and several
other parks began biodiesel utilization on their
own.

BIODIESEL IN THE
NATIONAL PARKS
Assateague Island National Seashore Channel Islands National Park
Everglades National Park
George Washington Memorial Parkway
Glacier National Park
Grand Teton National Park
Harpers Ferry National Historic Park Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Mammoth Cave National Park
Manassas National Battlefield Park
Mount Rainier National Park
National Capitol Parks East
Pictured Rocks National Seashore
Redwoods National Park
Rock Creek Park
Scotts Bluff National Monument
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Seashore Voyageurs National Park
Yellowstone National Park
Yosemite National Park
At the present time over 675 pieces of equipment and vehicles are being
operated at the 20 parks listed above- The spread sheet is quite informative.
http://www.nps.gov/renew/NPSBiodiesel.xls
Having Management Support
for Sustainability is Critical for Success.
Lynn ScarletAssistant Secretary of the Interior
Gail Norton- Secretary of the Interior
Jim Evanoff- Yellowstone National Park
…while seeking and securing funding which
makes partnerships invaluable...
Local partnerships benefit your community.
State Energy Offices are great resources.
Use programs such as the “Green Energy Parks
Program” to the full extent possible.
Grant opportunities exist in many venues.
Be innovative in expanding your horizons.
Combine management objectives of environmental
leadership, education and resource stewardship for
program success.
FLC Biodiesel Initiative
Phase I Survey
Survey Web Site:
www.flcfw.org/bio