Transcript Biodiesel School Buses

Biodiesel School Buses
How biodiesel can help local school districts save
money, improve health, and reduce emissions
Nathan Sacks
Georgia Institute of Technology
July 31, 2013
Background – Diesel Fuel
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Schools spent over $3 billion on fuel in 2012
2012: average price of diesel was 3.5x that of
1995
On average, 14% increase per year
Background – Diesel Fuel
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Some school buses in operation for up to 20 years
 Recommended
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Diesel Emissions
 CO2,
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lifespan: 12 years
NOX, SOX, particulate matter
Respiratory Effects
Children disproportionately affected
 Developing
respiratory system
 Higher
respiratory rates
 Narrower airways
 Increased
exposure
 Particulate

matter higher on buses than normal exposure
Up to 5-15x more emissions
Background – DERA
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Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA)
Passed with the Energy Policy Act of 2005, renewed in 2010
Goal: Reduce diesel particulate emissions
Revolving loans, competitive grants
Every $1 spent returns $13 in health and environmental
benefits
DERA Funding ($, millions)
60
40
49.2
60
60
49.9
29.9
20
20
6
0
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014*
Background – Biodiesel
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Made from vegetable oil and can be blended with
diesel
 B20
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= 20% Biodiesel, 80% Diesel
Vegetable oil converted through chemical process
Background – Biodiesel

Tested technology
 Warrantied
up to B20
 Higher-percentage blends can deteriorate parts in older
vehicles, problems in cold weather
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Compared to diesel:
 Reduced
cost with the use of waste vegetable oil
 Reduced emissions
 B20:
-10% particulate matter, -11% CO, -15% CO2, -21%
unburned hydrocarbons
 B100: -47% particulate matter, -48% CO, -75% CO2, -67%
unburned hydrocarbons
Background – Biodiesel
 Follows
cost of diesel
 Average price difference between diesel and B20: $0.13
Current Policy
DERA focuses
on maximum
emission
reduction, not
cost savings
Waste
vegetable oil
disposed of
according to
necessary
regulation
Biodiesel
blends used in
school buses in
a few locations
around the
country
Third Party Support of Biodiesel

No Fuel Liability
No Upfront Cost
Higher Fuel Cost
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Medford Township, NJ
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 School
buses on biodiesel since 1997
 B20 maintenance : -$0.02/mile ≈ -$0.14/gallon
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Economic Analysis of B20:
=
$8 million/year savings from reduced maintenance
costs
School District – Supplier Partnership
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No Fuel Liability
No Upfront Cost
Reduced Fuel Cost
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Economic Analysis of B20:
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 $345
million/year savings from reduced fuel costs
 $115 million/year savings from reduced maintenance
costs
 = $460 million/year savings total
Locally Managed Biodiesel Production
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Fuel Liability
High Upfront Cost
Significantly Reduced Fuel Cost
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Hoover, AL
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Collects oil from restaurants and households
Makes B100 for $0.70-$0.80/gallon
Return on investment in 200 days
Economic Analysis of B20:
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$527 million/year savings from reduced fuel costs
$115 million/year savings from reduced maintenance costs
- upfront infrastructure cost
= $642 million/year savings total
Recommendations
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EPA regional offices: compile list of waste vegetable oil
disposal amounts
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Biodiesel production feasibility studies
Third party support where biodiesel supplier exists
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Initial pilot program
Urban areas
Locally managed biodiesel production
Rural areas
 DERA funding to provide assistance with upfront costs
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Implement waste vegetable oil recycling program
Restore DERA funding
Conclusion
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Potential fuel cost savings
 Can
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range from breakeven to >$600 million/year
Significant public health savings
Reduced emissions
 Improved
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children’s health
No bus modifications required
Acknowledgments
Special Thanks To:
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Melissa Carl, ASME Government Relations
Dr. Adam Christensen, Johns Hopkins University, Mentor
Dr. Gail Marcus, Faculty Member in Residence