Bioheat® fuel stands out as one of the best renewable energy options for many reasons: it’s low carbon and available now, it doesn’t require expensive conversions, and it’s the only liquid fuel with the capacity to continue to reduce its carbon emissions over time. However, one important factor that makes Bioheat fuel® and biodiesel so actionable and efficient is its energy balance.
What Is Energy Balance?
Simply put, energy balance is the return on energy invested. Energy balance is determined starting with the primary energy supply, considering how much energy is lost during the transfer or transformation process, and final energy consumption by the end user.
The Energy Balance of Biodiesel & Bioheat® Fuel
- Biodiesel is produced from a highly efficient and low-energy process called transesterification.
- This means biodiesel producers can create a significant amount of renewable energy in relationship to the traditional heating fuel they put in to create Bioheat® fuel.
- This ratio, commonly known as an energy balance or return on energy invested, exceeds 4.5:1[1].
As producers increasingly incorporate more renewable energy and find ways to reduce overall energy usage in their already highly efficient process, this number has grown. While biodiesel producers are increasing their energy balance, petroleum is becoming more difficult to extract, relying on tar sands and fracking. This has caused the energy balance of petroleum to decline from 100:1 in the early 20th century to as low as 4:1.[2]
Available Today
Looking for Bioheat® fuel in your area?
Get started with a quick Internet search, including your town name, county, and state—more and more providers are delivering Bioheat® fuel now. If you can’t find a provider near you, contact your state energy association listed below.
Are You a Fuel Provider?
If you’re a heating oil dealer interested in becoming a Bioheat® fuel provider, we can help. Please fill out the adjacent contact form, and a member of our Bioheat supply team will contact you as soon as possible.