Grantee Research Project Results
Final Report: Sustainable Biofuel Systems for Undeveloped Regions
EPA Grant Number: SU833535Title: Sustainable Biofuel Systems for Undeveloped Regions
Investigators: Hackleman, David , Friedrichsen, Lucas C. , Lewis, Samantha C. , Backman, Tyler W.H. , Wilcox, Buck , Bates, Chris , Varin, Jessica , Prem, Nikhil
Institution: Oregon State University
EPA Project Officer: Page, Angela
Phase: I
Project Period: September 30, 2008 through August 31, 2010
Project Amount: $10,000
RFA: P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition for Sustainability Focusing on People, Prosperity and the Planet (2007) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Nanotechnology , Pollution Prevention/Sustainable Development , P3 Challenge Area - Air Quality , P3 Awards , Sustainable and Healthy Communities
Objective:
The lack of sustainable alternatives to petroleum fuels is a critical global concern. Although several alternatives exist, severe technical challenges as well as lack of acceptance by industry and the public have stunted widespread adoption of these innovations in the US and abroad. Several high GDP countries, including the US, have made significant strides towards implementing alternative fuels. In research and infrastructure development, the developing world is often neglected. Renewable fuels have the potential to immediately impact environmental quality. We cannot hope to protect our physical environment and preserve biodiversity if climate change is perceived as the domain of the wealthy.
Addressing the economic conditions and technical challenges of the developing world requires innovation. Our Phase I P3 Proposal aimed to study the feasibility of vegetable-oil based fuels, however our Project Team ultimately explored the implementation of several non-vegetable-oil based energy sources that were deemed promising. The project was completed as a case study that could be adapted to different geographic and cultural regions.
Through an Oregon State University (OSU) alumni now working for the Peace Corps, we established a relationship with the village of Narukunibua in Navua District, Fiji. The village represents a real location in the Namosi province with particular limitations representative of those in most remote, “undeveloped” areas. The primary use of fuel in the village is a diesel generator that provides the only electricity. The goal of the Phase I P3 Project was to explore the feasibility of implementing alternative energies within the unique social, economic and environmental conditions of these regions. We identified obstacles to renewable energy implementation that are specific to developing nations, investigated which alternative will work best in the model environment, developed sustainable methods of production that work within the limitations, and incorporated traditional knowledge of the target community in production methods.
Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):
We evaluated our findings based on the level of integration of sustainable methods, feasibility of implementation within the target community, and the quantity of energy produced in relation to community needs. Particular emphasis was placed on development of a production method that is viable beyond the initial project period. This project has proven to be valuable as an educational tool, providing a rare opportunity for students to meld the technical, environmental and cultural elements to system design.
Our Team developed a sound methodology to assess the environmental and social impacts of several alternative fuels based on the concept of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). Ultimately we narrowed the list of feasible fuel technologies to three: biodiesel (using vegetable oil produced by algae), compressed methane gas from the villages’ solid waste, and straight vegetable oil (coconut oil). The villages’ diesel generator may be altered to burn any of the three alternatives. We found that direct micro expelling of coconut oil provides the easiest method of fuel production and sustainability for the village. Excess oil also produces a useable commodity for the community- it can be used in cooking or traded for goods.
In addition to sustainable fuels, our team evaluated other energy potentials such as wind and solar. Many have the perception that providing sustainable technology involves the use of only one appropriate technology. Case studies have shown that in many environments, a combination of technologies serve as the most adequate form of clean energy. Our goal in this project is to provide Narukunibua the most sufficient energy package, not necessarily the most appropriate technology.
Conclusions:
The planned technology of use will be the currently used diesel engine. We will be adapting the engine so that we can use coconut oil as an energy source. With our research, we found this set up to be most appropriate due to the high price of ethanol and unavailability of necessary catalysts to produce biodiesel. This project will require at least three trips to Fiji for site assessments and construction operations. The project will also involve intensive design and prototype development here in the United States prior to the construction in Fiji.
We also determined that it would be most appropriate to use coconuts as an oil source since village members know the crop very well, allowing the technology to blend into the current culture with little changes to the lifestyle of Fijians living in Narukunibua.
Proposed Phase II Objectives & Strategies:
We propose a second phase of this project containing five stages:
- Reconnaissance (2 weeks). A visit to the actual project site for planning and assessment of previously unforeseen factors.
- Fine-tuning (12 weeks). Modification of the design we produced through our research, identification of suppliers in the region of the project site and acquisition of materials.
- Construction (2 weeks). Return to the project site and construct a sustainable fuel system.
- Continued Involvement and Maintenance (52 weeks). Maintain contact with the model community for a one-year period after the system has been implemented, ensure that the project objectives have been met, and make any necessary repairs or corrections to the system.
- Modular Development (26 weeks). Use what we have learned from the P3 experience to develop educational and implementation tools that will aid other institutions and communities in developing and building their own sustainable fuel systems in undeveloped regions.
Three people total will be required for the reconnaissance trip including an engineer/mechanic, an environmental expert, and a cultural/education expert. The second trip will consist of the same three people, plus two additional people with engineer/mechanic skills, and a professional engineer (our PI). After one year of operation, the third trip (consisting of the same 3 people as the reconnaissance trip) will be made to ensure that the project objectives have been met.
By completing this project in the next two years, the village will successfully switch from a petroleum based fuel to coconut oil. This project meets P3 requirements since it offers the unique possibility of filling the economic need for renewable fuel production, the environmental need of reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and the social needs of environmental education and stabilization of fuel dependency.
Journal Articles:
No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 1 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
biodiesel, vegetable oil, pollution prevention, renewable fuels, petroleum, economic barriers, social barriers, technology transfer, coconut oil, oil extraction, methane, environmental education,, RFA, Scientific Discipline, Air, Sustainable Industry/Business, POLLUTION PREVENTION, Environmental Chemistry, Sustainable Environment, Energy, climate change, Air Pollution Effects, Technology for Sustainable Environment, Environmental Engineering, Atmosphere, environmental monitoring, sustainable development, environmental sustainability, alternative materials, biomass, alternative fuel, biodiesel fuel, energy efficiency, energy technology, alternative energy sourceRelevant Websites:
http://biodiesel.oregonstate.edu/ Exit
http://groups.engr.orst.edu/ewb/ Exit
Progress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.