Shell, bio-bean and Coffee-Drinkers Collaborate to Help Power London’s Buses
LONDON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Shell and bio-bean announce that together they are helping to power some
of London’s buses using a biofuel made partly from waste coffee grounds.
The B20 biofuel contains a 20% bio-component which contains part coffee
oil. The biofuel is being added to the London bus fuel supply chain and
will help to power some of the buses; without need for modification.
Biofuel provides a cleaner, more sustainable energy solution for buses
across London’s network by decreasing emissions1.
“Our Coffee Logs have already become the fuel of choice for households
looking for a high-performance, sustainable way to heat their homes –
and now, with the support of Shell, bio-bean and Argent Energy have
created thousands of litres of coffee-derived B20 biodiesel which will
help power London buses for the first time.” said bio-bean’s
founder Arthur Kay. “It’s a great example of what can be done when we
start to reimagine waste as an untapped resource.”
The average Londoner drinks 2.3 cups of coffee a day2 which
produces over 200,000 tonnes3 of waste a year, much of which
would otherwise end in landfill with the potential to emit 126million kg
of CO24. bio-bean works to collect some of these
waste coffee grounds from high street chains and factories.
The grounds are dried and processed before coffee oil is extracted.
bio-bean works with its fuel partner Argent Energy to process this oil
into a blended B20 biofuel. 6,000 litres of coffee oil has been
produced, which if used as a pure-blend for the bio component and mixed
with mineral diesel to form a B20, could help power the equivalent of
one London bus for a year5.
This latest collaboration is part of Shell’s #makethefuture energy
relay, which supports entrepreneurs turning bright energy innovations
into a positive impact for communities around the world.
Sinead Lynch, Shell UK Country Chair, said: “When it comes to clean
energy, we are always looking for the next inventive solution. A good
idea can come from anywhere, but with the scale and commitment of Shell,
we can help enable true progress. We're pleased to be able to support
bio-bean to trial this innovative new energy solution which can help to
power buses, keeping Londoners moving around the city – powered in part
by their waste coffee grounds.”
bio-bean founder Arthur Kay won Shell LiveWIRE’s Innovation Award in
2013 and the Mayor’s Entrepreneur Programme in 2012 with his ideas about
turning coffee waste into fuel. bio-bean has since gone on to produce
bio-mass pellets and briquettes called Coffee Logs, before this latest
biofuel innovation.
-Ends-
1 TFL.gov.uk
3 bio-bean source information
4https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/greenhouse-gas-reporting-conversion-factors-2017
(calculation 627kg of CO2 per 1000kg of WCG, bio-bean removes 200,000
tonnes)
5 Calculation based on biofuel consumption and bus
circulation numbers detailed quoted by TFL.gov.uk.
Contacts
Hill+Knowlton Strategies
Francesca Raquet, +44 207 973 4444
Account
Executive
[email protected]
