DOE eyes higher biodiesel blend for power plants

By Alena Mae S. Flores – September 4, 2024, 7:25 pm
from manilastandard.net

The Department of Energy (DOE) plans to work with the National Power Corp. (NPC) to test the viability of increasing the biodiesel blend in power plants up to 55 percent.

DOE assistant secretary Mario Marasigan said the agency was studying the policy for the higher biodiesel use in power plants.

“We are still studying the policy on it, including the possible mandate. We are looking at all diesel facilities. Of course, we can possibly use NPC’s facilities in conducting tests, if necessary,” Marasigan said.

The DOE mandates a 2-percent coco-methyl ester (CME) blend for diesel.

Downstream oil industry participants are required to implement a 3-percent CME blend in all diesel fuel sold nationwide by Oct. 1, 2024, 4 percent by Oct. 1, 2025 and 5 percent by Oct. 1, 2026.

Marasigan said using a 55-percent biofuel blend will correspond to converting a diesel engine into a biodiesel engine but this would have a positive impact on reducing carbon emissions of diesel plants.

“Lesser imported fuel and lesser carbon emissions. With the current trend of increasing fuel prices, higher blend would lessen the impact of the same,” he said.

Marasigan said they are looking at employing the policy in all diesel-fired power plants in the country, including those in the Small Power Utilities Group or missionary areas of NPC.

NPC SPUG areas use mostly diesel facilities for their power plants.

The DOE is also pushing for hybridization of fuel supply by combining it with solar to help bring down electricity costs in these areas.