BIO FUEL WORKSHOP

A workshop was conducted in Nadi, Fiji about looking at alternatives for Fossil Fuel. Participants of the workshop were from all over the Pacific Islands. Each participant presented about thier country's energy plan and progress on Bio Fuel.

The workshop was jointly organised by SPC and SOPAC while IFADsponshored it. It was held from 17th November to 23rd November at Tanoa International Hotel.

One of the resolutions for the workshop was for SPC/SOPAC to produce a manual/toolkit to enable easy access to member countries on BIO FUEL.

Brief description of the manual:

Biofuel Information Manual/Toolkit

I. Background
II. Purpose
III. Definitions
IV. What resources in communities
V. How to Assess them
VI. What will be their energy contribution
VII. Associated Costs
VIII. Useful Contacts

I. Background

During the Pacific Regional Bioenergy Conference held in Nadi from 17-20 November 2008, country delegates from Pacific Island Countries, representatives of the private sector, regional and international organizations who attended highlighted access to information for country governments and communities as a major challenge related to the promotion of sustainable biofuels development in the Pacific.

II. Purpose

The purpose of this manual is to provide a preliminary overview of basic definitions, ways for communities to assess resources in communities and an inventory of potential community biofuel applications for communities to consider.

The manual also presents a list of development partners, sources of funding and contacts intended to assist people who are interested in embarking on related biofuel activities.

III. Definitions

Biodiesel: is acceptable in most diesel engines as a fuel replacement up to 100%. It is usually produced from vegetable oils that have been treated chemically in a process called etherification.

Biogas: gas generated by biomass
1. Digester which produces biomethane
2. Gasifier which produces carbon monoxide and hydrogen.

Biofuels: are products from biological origin that have been converted into liquid, solid or gaseous form, depending on the raw material base and the technology employed, for energy generation. Liquid biofuels are used for heating, cooking, lighting, transport and power generation. Bioethanol, bio-diesel and pure plant oils are the most common form of liquid biofuels. Solid biofuels are plant matter such as wood chips, and other solid or woody biomass, that can be directly used as fuel. Two of the most widely used forms are woodchips and bagasse – the fibre remaining when sugarcane is crushed to remove the can juice for sugar production. Gaseous biofuels include biogas, which is produced by digesting organic waste and is generally used for cooking, lighting and power generation at the village level (CTA 2007).

Ethanol: an alcohol that can be used up to 10% in standard engines, up to 25% in adapted engines and up to 85% in specially designed petrol engines. Ethanol is usually produced by distilling alcohols to a purity of 95% (hydrated) or up to 99% (hydrated). For fuel uses, ethanol is often denatured (mixed with petrol) to avoid abuse (human consumption) under a low tax regime.

Sustainable Livelihoods: A Pacific livelihood comprises the capabilities, assets and activities that provide a means of living: a sustainable livelihood works within a traditionl and cultural context adapting to and coping with vulnerability, while maintaining and enhancing assets and resources (Cahn 2002).

IV. What resources in communities?

Biofuel ethanol: sugarcane, cassava,

Biofuel vegetable oil: coconut, copra (fresh or dried), jatropha, pongamia

Biogas:
Biodigestor: animal excrement and organic waste
Gasifier: woody biomass (wood, coconut shell, coconut husk and other nut residues

Biodiesel: vegetable oil (coconut, jatropha, pongamia) + alcohol + catalyst (ex: caustic soda)

V. How to assess them?

Energy Survey

Resource Assessment

GIS mapping?

Economic Feasibility

Environmental Impact Assessment

Food impact

VI.What will be their energy contribution

Eg.
Total Yield (eg coconuts/year) = (Yield/Tree) X (Trees/Hectare) X (Area Size)