Liquid Biofuels in New Zealand
Welcome...
These pages provide an overview of the Liquid Biofuels sector in New Zealand including where to buy Biofuels, a ‘Who’s Who’ of Biofuels in New Zealand and what the current regulations governing biofuels production and use are. This site makes links to several government web-sites where there are extensive additional resources.
These pages are maintained by the Liquid Biofuels Interest Group (LBIG) of the Association.
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What's New
"Liquid Biofuels in New Zealand - Emerging Opportunities, sustainable development and increasing availability" - a Bioenergy Association of New Zealand Workshop
To be held on Thursday 22nd April 2010, Wellington
This is a back to back event with EECA biofuels and electric vehicles conference on the preceding day. Joint registration discount is available.
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Grant Funding
On 19th May the New Zealand Government announced the introduction of the Biodiesel GRANT Scheme
Further details about the Scheme are available here
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Discussion Board
Enter the BANZ Discussion Board here [note - the BANZ Discussion Board is under development at present
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"The Current Status of Liquid Biofuels Supply in NZ - Addressing the Supply Opportunities"- a BANZ Workshop Event, 25 March 2009
Presentations available here
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"The Sustainable Production and use of Liquid Biofuels in New Zealand - Advantages to the New Zealand Economy and a Proposed Tax Incentive to Facilitate Market Growth" - a Liquid Biofuels Interest Group-Position Statement, 13 March 2009
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Where can I buy Biofuels?
Are you interested in buying biofuels? For details on what you can buy, where you can buy it and where it came from use the search function below.
If you would like to have your details added to these lists, complete the following form.
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Liquid Biofuels Interest Group (LBIG) – Who are we?
The LBIG is one of 4 Interest Groups established by BANZ.
Members include anyone with a commercial interest in liquid biofuels, fuel producers and suppliers, energy researchers, consultants, equipment manufacturers and investors.
The Liquid Biofuels Interest Group was strengthened in November 2008 by merging with the New Zealand Biofuel Manufacturers Association (NZBMA). The Interest Group has a Committee and a Convener. The Group Convener sits on the BANZ Board.
The Vision and Objectives of the BANZ Liquid Biofuels Programme are as follows:
Vision
To assist the establishment of a sustainable liquid biofuels market in NZ based on indigenous resources representing the views of manufacturers of liquid biofuels.
Objectives
The objectives of the Liquid Biofuels Interest Group should be:
- Assist liquid biofuel manufacturers to set up production and develop market share
- Assist liquid biofuel manufacturers to ensure that quality product is on the market.
- Lobby for a liquid biofuels research and development fund.
- Provide meaningful press and PR support to the technology, publishing case studies etc, and leveraging the BKC and Liquid Biofuels in NZ websites to disseminate this information.
- Run workshops for potential suppliers, to raise awareness of the technologies and opportunities.
Details of the recent activities of the Group can be accessed by Members of the Liquid Biofuels Interest Group here.
Not a Member? Contact us for details on how you can join here
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Buying Biofuels – what you need to know
Standards for biodiesel and bioethanol
- Manufacture and blending
Biodiesel - check if your supplier knows about the NZ Engine Fuels Specification Regulations. These regulations prescribe different specifications for certain types of engine fuel that is supplied, or available or intended for supply, depending on -
- the type of engine fuel; and
- whether the supply is by way of retail sale or not.
They also contain general provisions relating to matters such as labelling, sampling, and offences.
The new and revised ASTM biofuel standards (for biodiesel and bioethanol) can be found here
Quality
- Biodiesel - testing
- Schedule 3 of the Engine Fuels Specification Regulations 2008 - here
- EN 14214 Standard: Automotive fuels - Standard and test methods - biodiesel
- EN 14103 Test Method for Methly Esters
- Bioethanol testing
- Schedule 4 of the Engine Fuels Specification Regulations 2008 here
- Pr EN 15376: Automotive fuels - Ethanol as a blending component for - petrol
For testing labs in New Zealand see here
Consistency of Supply
Make sure that your supplier can provide you with a quality product each time you buy. Evidence of consistent results in quality testing would be good to see. Batch processing can make it difficult to deliver the same quality time and time again compared to continuous flow techniques.
- Biodiesel
It is good practice to store the fuel in a clean, dry, dark place, avoiding temperature extremes. The storage tank should be made out of materials such as steel, stainless steel, aluminum, teflon, fluorinated polyethylene, or fluorinated polypropylene. Copper, brass, lead, tin, and zinc should be avoided. In general however, the standard storage and handling procedures used for petoleum diesel should be used for biodiesel.
Biodiesel does have some unique solvent properties that could release the deposits accumulated on tank walls and pipes, which might affect filter clogging. Also, biodiesel over time will soften and degrade certain types of elastomers and natural rubber compounds. Precautions should be taken when using high percent blends to ensure that the existing fueling system, primarily fuel hoses and fuel pump seals, do not contain elastomer compounds incompatible with the biodiesel.
Biodiesel can be stored safely for up to 12 months. If you bought it in the warmer months, get advice on whether the fuel will handle the colder weather.
GUIDE - The fourth edition of the Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide provides more useful tips and information. This Guide is produced by the National Renewable Energy Library (NREL) (US based). It is intended for those in the sector who blend, store, distribute, and use biodiesel and biodiesel blends, including fleet managers. The guide provides basic information on the proper and safe use of biodiesel fuels in compression-ignition engines and boilers. Also included are frequently asked questions, sample data sheets, information about incentives, and much more.
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LBIG Committee
Andre Hamman - NZ Ester Fuels Ltd (Group Convener)
Andrew Simcock – Biodiesel NZ
Attilio Pigneri – Massey University
Richard Gapes – Maunsell AECOM
Gary Brockett – Ecodiesel
Jim Watson – PurePower Global (Deputy Convener)
Jurgen Thiele – Waste Solutions Ltd
Karl Mischewski – Gull
Peter Motion – Anchor Ethanol
Sean Molloy – Flotech
Shusheng Pang – Canterbury University
Simon Coughlan – Rose and Heather
Tissa Fernando – Flo-Dry Engineering Ltd
The Committee is supported by:
Brian Cox (Executive Officer BANZ)
Connie Crookshanks (Deputy Executive Officer BANZ)
Details of the recent activities of the Group can be accessed by Members of the Liquid Biofuels Interest Group here.
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Interest Group Committee Meeting Dates
LBIG Meeting Timetable for 2010
(Provisional)
Andre Hamman (Convener)
3.30pm - Monday, 15th February
3.30pm - Wednesday, 31st March
5.30 - 7.00pm - Thursday, 22nd April
3.30pm - Wednesday, 2nd June
3.30pm - Tuesday, 3rd August
3.30pm - Tuesday, 5th October
3.30pm - Wednesday, 1st December
(NOTE - Unless otherwise advised all Board and IG meetings are by teleconference)