Welcome
This site provides 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.
What's New
- Sustainable Aviation Fuels Road Map, CSIRO reports
- News and Events updated - August 2011
- Nelson goes gold with a Biodiesel NZ distribution hub - GO Nelson!
- KEA Campers pass 100,000km milestone on biodiesel - walking the talk on clean green!
- Volvo Bus Australia approves 30% biodiesel
- Scion Report: Biofuels Science Symposium and Action Plan - Feb 2011
- Progress Report confirms Biodiesel Grants Scheme success and recommends immediate Scheme extension (Feb 2011)
- Biodiesel Grant Scheme goes from strength to strength
- Biodiesel Accreditation Scheme for New Zealand
- New Zealand Bioenergy Strategy
- Biodiesel Grant Scheme extended upto and including B100
- Goverrnment scenario shows that a 3-fold increase in the use of bioenergy is possible
- Sustainable Aviation Road Map Study
- Grant Funding
- 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
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Biodiesel Grant Scheme goes from strength to strength
(Note - this graph will be updated monthly using the EECA data here).
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Biodiesel Accreditation Scheme for New Zealand
A country-wide accreditation scheme for the New Zealand biodiesel industry could enhance the reputation of biodiesel as a reliable and sustainable vehicle fuel for the public and for potential fuel users. An accreditation scheme could ultimately cover all biofuels. This document explores the options for New Zealand's biofuel industry and recommends a scheme that is simple and cost effective to administer and one that gives customer assurance in the quality of biofuels in New Zealand.
Click on the link below to download latest version of this report.
- August 2010 (this report has been superceded by the Dec 2010 report).
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New Zealand Bioenergy Strategy
Further details on the NZ Bioenergy Strategy released on 8th September 2010 are available here.
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Biodiesel Grant Scheme extended upto and including B100
On 5 July 2010 the Minister for Energy and Resources, Hon Gerry Brownlee, announced the extension of the Biodiesel Grant Scheme from B20 to B100. BANZ welcomed the news saying it had the potential to significantly boost sales. BANZ noted too that many biodiesel users are already choosing to use higher blends.
Minister's Press Release here
BANZ Media Statement here
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Government scenario shows that a 3-fold increase in the use of bioenergy is possible
The Ministry of Economic Development has released its latest scenario of the New Zealand Energy Outlook.
The NZ Energy Outlook presents long-term forecasts of energy supply, demand, prices and energy sector greenhouse gas emissions. The Change Gear Scenario sets out a future energy scenario for New Zealand that looks at the implications of how New Zealand could reduce its reliance on imported oil - principally through increased uptake of bioenergy. The scenario builds on a Reference Scenario release in September last year that presented a "business-as-usual" case for energy in New Zealand. The Reference Scenario highlighted several challenges if New Zealand continues along its current path, including a continuing dependence on imported oil, the prospect of further electricity price rises, and increasing energy sector greenhouse gas emissions.
Click here to download a copy of the article covering this new scenario and this information along with detailed data tables can be accessed free of charge on MED's website at www.med.govt.nz/energyoutlook.
The Changing Gear Scenario is very similar to the BANZ scenario on which the NZ Bioenergy Strategy has been based. Both sets of analysis show that NZ could have around 25% of its energy sourced from bioenergy by 2040. This would reflect a doubling in the use of bioenergy for heat and 30% of transport fuel coming from biofuels by 2040. Export of wood fuels and biofuels would be additional to that.
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Sustainable Aviation Road Map Study
The Sustainable Aviation Fuel Users Group (SAFUG) made up of Air New Zealand, Boeing, Qantas and Virgin Blue are working together with the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO), and the Commonwealth Scientific Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) on the development and commercialisation of sustainable aviation fuel challenges specific to this region.
The utilisation of low carbon fuels will assist in decoupling sector growth from its emissions allowing the industry to successfully operate in a low carbon economy. The Australian grouping of the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Users Group (SAFUG) is convening an Australian Sustainable Aviation Road Map study.
BANZ is plugged into the study and is coordinating New Zealand interest. If you would like further details contact Connie Crookshanks
The Road Map study will bring a diverse set of stakeholders together to build a high level road map building on international knowledge but focused on the unique challenges of implementing a sustainable aviation fuels industry in the region. The road map will seek to identify alternative paths and required actions that could be pursued by different stakeholders. It will also identify the level of environmental sustainability and other impacts that may be expected to be achieved over different timeframes. it is expected to identify key barriers and produce a fact based outcome to assist stakeholders in providing input to business and policy decision-making.
Further details are available in the following documents:
- Invitation to Participate - Australian Sustainable Aviation Fuel Road Map Study - an initiative of the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Users Group
- Agenda - Sustainable Aviation Fuels Road Map - Inaugural Meeting - 23-24 March 2010
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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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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
- Liquid Biofuels Interest Group-Position Statement - 13 March 2009
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.
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. This standard specifies requirements and test methods for biodiesel to be used either as automotive fuel for diesel engines at 100% concentration, or as a blend component for automotive fuel for compression ignition engines. 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 labeling, 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.
Storage
- 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 petroleum 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