It’s noticeable how the earth’s climate has shifted in recent years, which has prompted leaders across the globe to call for changes in the way people live their lives. One change people are being encouraged to make to switch to alternative fuels like HVO diesel. With the help of renewable energy sources like HVO fuel, we could all make our contribution towards healing the planet.
HVO stands for Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil, and it’s a paraffinic biofuel that can act as a substitute for traditional diesel. There are two ways in which this type of fuel can be used – in its pure state as an alternative to regular fuel; or blended with another type of petroleum product. Either way, using it as an alternative to traditional fuel types could be greatly beneficial, not just to the environment but to businesses and consumers as well.
Of course, other alternative fuels are available, so what makes HVO the best choice? Here are some of the top reasons.
Helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 90%
Gases like carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and methane can all contribute to the so-called greenhouse effect, which drastically affects temperatures all over the world. The dips and jumps in temperature seen over recent years have not only caused the polar ice caps to melt but have also caused a worrying increase in air pollution-related health concerns.
By switching to HVO fuel, your CO2 and other emissions could be reduced by up to 90%. That’s because the processes by which this type of fuel is sourced, produced and used is much more sustainable, and emissions of particulates (soot-like substances) and CO2 are much reduced in comparison to traditional fossil fuels.
Made from 100% renewable materials
HVO can be made from different types of vegetable oils sourced from palms, soybeans, sunflowers, and similar sustainable materials like animal fats. Because these can be sourced just about anywhere, HVO is increasingly widely available.
While the typical HVO fuel price in the UK may seem steep (like all fuel prices at the moment), the cost of switching to this environmentally friendly fuel is much cheaper than making the switch to, say, electric vehicles. HVO can be used as a drop-in fuel for your existing machinery without modifications, so there’s no large capital outlay involved.
Can help stabilise fuel prices
Fuel prices all over the world continue to rise, with a variety of factors contributing to the issue. Most fuels come from overseas at the moment, which in itself already drives the prices upward, taking into account the costs of production and transportation, for instance.
Because HVO can be made just about anywhere, it can become a locally sourced fuel. That potentially eliminates a great deal of the additional costs, which means that ultimately, the HVO price per litre in the UK will eventually lower as well.
Opens up new opportunities
When people start switching to HVO diesel, the possibilities are endless. It can minimise our dependence on imported fossil fuels, for example, which will not only drive down costs but will also open up new opportunities locally.
Because, as noted, the raw materials needed to produce this fuel can be sourced locally, local producers will ultimately see increased demand for their products. This will cause a domino effect, increasing the number of available employment opportunities in the area, both within the businesses producing the raw materials and those producing the fuel itself.
Once people begin switching to alternative fuels like this, it can help local farmers, forestry workers, and other business owners, workers and professionals in and around the agricultural sector to diversify the way they do things. And because this type of fuel can also come from natural waste products, there will be fewer issues and expenses surrounding waste disposal.
HVO Fuel for a Cleaner Future
All in all, there is no better time to start contributing to saving the planet. The faster people switch to alternative fuels like HVO diesel, the quicker we can address concerns surrounding climate change. Contributing to a cleaner future boils down to people’s choices. Though there are plenty of alternative fuel choices on offer at the moment, choosing the right one for your requirements will help make your contribution even larger.
Some of the factors you should check when deciding on a fuel type include the following: How sustainable is each option? Will the fuel you’re considering contribute positively or negatively to greenhouse emissions? Will you have to replace or adapt existing machinery or vehicles to use the new fuel? What are the other associated costs?
More often than not, people think that switching to greener alternatives will not only be pricier but will also be a hassle to do. But with HVO fuel, both of these are untrue. If you take into account the fact that you don’t need to replace or upgrade existing assets to use it and could make the switch right away, it’s the most practical and economical of choices in the long run.
If you’re looking to get started, check out our offers today here at HVO Fuel UK.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What does HVO fuel stand for?
HVO stands for Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil, also known as renewable diesel or hydro-processed esters and fatty acids (HEFA), and is manufactured by hydrotreating oils and fats. HEFA can be used in all diesel engines. Also, it has been approved as a fuel for use in aviation.
What can HVO fuel be used for?
HVO diesel is usually used as a green alternative to diesel in various industries to power their operations while lessening their environmental footprint. Some industries that use HVO include data centres, film, construction, aviation, the transportation sector, and many more.
How sustainable is HVO?
HVO is made entirely from renewable resources like animal fats and vegetable oils and can produce up to 90 per cent less greenhouse gas emissions across its lifespan from production to use. It also results in cleaner exhaust emissions, depending on the application and feedstock used.
What is HVO made of?
HVO stands for hydrogenated or hydrotreated vegetable oil. It is produced by reacting vegetables or other oils with hydrogen at high pressure and temperature. Here at HVO Fuel UK, we make our HVO using waste materials like used cooking oil and residual fat from food industries, ensuring that our products are as sustainable as possible.
What is HVO diesel?
HVO can be considered ‘the highest quality diesel in the world’. It’s a renewable diesel derived from processing vegetable and/ or other oils with hydrogen in a process known as hydrogenation. This results in what’s dubbed Green Diesel, and it’s rising in popularity across a range of industries for its sustainability.
Is HVO low carbon?
HVO is a low carbon, low emission, fossil-free, and renewable alternative to standard fossil diesel. It is fully interchangeable with conventional diesel and can be mixed with it for use in any proportion. HVO is not the same as biodiesel, which is produced by esterifying oil with methanol.
Is biofuel clean energy?
Biofuel is a domestically produced, clean-burning, renewable alternative to petroleum diesel. The use of biofuel in vehicles improves energy security and air quality and is safer for the environment. It also offers safety advantages when used. While the biofuel and specifically HVO diesel price in the UK is currently higher, the cost is expected to drop as the technology advances.
Uses of Biofuel
Here are some practical examples of what biofuels like HVO can be used for:
Cars and Trucks
Any existing diesel vehicle can run on a biofuel like HVO without the need for any engine modifications. HVO can be used by itself or mixed in any percentage with traditional diesel, although using such a mixture can reduce the benefits somewhat.
Aircraft
Recent research has confirmed the viability of using vegetable oil diesel in the aviation sector, and it’s anticipated that the utilisation of biofuels will grow considerably over the next decade. Because current biofuel production is largely dependent on crops that are also used for human food or livestock feed, scientists’ efforts are focused on sourcing new supplies that won’t necessarily destroy trees and compete with human nutrition.
Facts About Biofuels Like HVO
There are several advantages to using plant-based biofuels like paraffinic bio-based liquid diesel instead of fossil fuels. Firstly, because these fuels are produced from vegetable oils and animal fats, they are inherently sustainable— lowering our reliance on unpredictable overseas sources of oil.
Unlike other types of renewable energy (such as hydrogen, solar, or wind), making the switch to biodiesel is easy for individuals and businesses. There’s no need for special equipment or modifications to vehicles or home heating infrastructures. It’s a drop-in fuel, which means all you have to do is add it instead of or in combination with regular diesel.
Despite the advantages, though, experts warn that biofuels are not a cure-all for our dependence on gasoline. Given the number of petrol-only vehicles currently on the UK’s roads and the lack of ethanol or biodiesel pumps at existing filling stations, a wholesale societal transition from petrol and other fossil fuels to biofuels is predicted to take some time.
Everything You Need to Know About HVO
Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil diesel can be made from a variety of materials such as animal fats, vegetable oils, and recycled cooking fats. It can be used on a standalone basis or blended with traditional fossil diesel. It is produced by combining the oil or other material with hydrogen at high temperatures and pressures, which causes the necessary reaction.
HVO has been around for 15 years or more, so it has been tried and tested, although it is not yet mass-produced in sufficient quantities to support its widespread adoption. However, it brings a whole host of benefits over other traditional fuels and even many biofuel alternatives, so interest in finding more efficient methods of production is high.
Its benefits include few impurities and a cleaner burn; easy ignition and complete combustion, reducing particulate emissions; and good cold weather and storage properties.
If you are looking for the best HVO fuel suppliers, then HVO Fuel UK is the place to visit. Just give us a call, and we’re more than happy to discuss your requirements.
