University at Buffalo - The State University of New York

Published: February 23, 2006

By KEVIN FRYLING
Reporter Contributor

The university, continuing its commitment to energy conservation and reducing its impact on the environment, has begun a pilot project in which a biodiesel blend—a nontoxic, alternative fuel made from vegetable oil—is being used in nonessential diesel vehicles.

Biodiesel is being used in UB's fleet of dump trucks, garbage packers and other noncritical equipment, said Paul Hoffman, fleet maintenance supervisor, Facilities Operations, University Facilities. Once spring arrives, it will fuel the university's commercial lawn mowers as well, Hoffman added.

Engines that run on diesel do not require conversion to run on biodiesel.

"Our intent is to put it in any diesel-powered vehicles," said Hoffman. "I'm presuming that by next winter, we'll be running all of our fleet on biodiesel."

Biodiesel has numerous advantages over petroleum diesel fuel, said Creighton Randall, vice president of Engineers for a Sustainable World (ESW), a new UB student group that champions the use of alternative fuels on campus. Biodiesel burns reduced levels of cancer-causing carcinogens, such as arsenic and benzene, as well as greenhouse gasses that destroy the ozone layer, Randall said.

Biodiesel often is combined with petroleum diesel to create a biodiesel blend. NOCO Energy Corp. supplies UB with a mix known as B20—20 percent biodiesel, 60 percent petroleum diesel and 20 percent kerosene. During the winter, kerosene is added to the mix to prevent gelling in the cold temperatures.

The Tonawanda-based NOCO produces its biodiesel from soybeans.

An unrelated cost-saving measure prompted UB to test-run the use of biodiesel, Hoffman notes. University Facilities was able to eliminate its store of premium gasoline with the recent switch by University Police to vehicles that run on regular unleaded gasoline, rather than on the more-expensive premium fuel. Eliminating the need for the high-grade gasoline freed up a 4,000-gallon tank at the Helm Building on the North Campus, which was retrofitted to store biodiesel.

Hoffman adds that due to a two-year agreement between the New York State Office of General Services and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), biodiesel doesn't cost the university any more than traditional diesel fuel. NYSERDA offsets the difference in cost between petroleum diesel and biodiesel, he said.

"The intent (of the agreement) is to show that biodiesel is a viable fuel," said Hoffman. "As more agencies use biodiesel, the price will come down."

UB is committed to the use of alternative fuels, Hoffman stressed. The university currently operates 54 vehicles that run on compressed natural gas, 10 Global Electric Motorcars and three gas-electric hybrids.

Moreover, Hoffman said the university is in the final stages of putting together an agreement that would bring two hydrogen-fueled Toyota Priuses and a fueling station to campus for a two-year trial period. The Priuses would be the first hydrogen-fueled vehicles within the SUNY system and possibly within the state, he said.

"We've always been at the forefront," he pointed out.

Hoffman said University Facilities is working with Robert Baier, executive director of the Industry/University Center for Biosurfaces and professor of oral diagnostic sciences in the School of Dental Medicine, to test the emissions of the equipment that is running on biodiesel versus petroleum diesel.

Under the guidance of Baier, Sanketh Guruswamy, a doctorial student in the Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, will conduct emissions tests in the spring, with the assistance of students from ESW.

To ensure "solid data," the emissions tests will run on several commercial lawn mowers that are "brand new and identical," said Hoffman.

"We hope to compare our results to the national standard," said Randall. EPA studies show biodiesel contains decreased levels of numerous pollutants, including carbon monoxide, unburned hydrocarbons, particulate matter and sulfites, he said.

"ESW is excited to have the chance to make a difference for the environment and community on our own campus and to gain hands-on experience testing emissions," said Kelly Miller, president of ESW. Miller praised University Facilities' initiative with alternative fuels and said the project sets an example to other institutions in Western New York.