Biodiesel for power generation a first for Outback Australia

The introduction of biodiesel for electricity generation in far western Queensland towns is tipped to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by around 330 tons per annum, according to Ergon Energy. The electricity supplier will introduce the use of a biodiesel blend across five outback Queensland townships in Australia, through a contract with fuel supplier Caltex. The deal will potentially pave the way for further reductions in carbon dioxide emissions from diesel-based generation used at most of Ergon Energy’s 33 remote power generation sites. Carbon dioxide reductions from the biodiesel blend will equate to the equivalent of removing around 78 average family cars off the road for a year, or around 360 megawatt hours of carbon-free electricity. (October 22, 2009)