Science and Technology for Canadians

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Transcript of Video:

Narrator:

The hunt for clean technology solutions to climate change has taken researchers back to the land. This harvest of soya beans is a key ingredient in a new transportation fuel which is kinder to the environment.

Bio-Diesel is made from renewable crops such as soya beans or canola, animal fats and even the recycled cooking oil from french fries. It can be run in any diesel engine in its pure form, known as B100 or in blends with petroleum diesel.

Engine performance is the same as regular diesel but offers as much as 30 per cent in reductions of tailpipe emissions.

With transportation accounting for nearly a quarter of all greenhouse gas emissions, biodiesel is fast becoming a strong ally in the campaign for clean air.

Christine Paquette, Executive Director, Biodiesel Association of Canada:

For the average person what that means is we can reduce the amount of diesel that we’re putting in our engines. It’s cleaner air and it’s better for the overall environment. The reason that I got into bio diesel is because I wanted to make a difference for the air that the children in my life are going to be breathing in 5, 10 and 20 years. Bio diesel is part of that answer.

Narrator:

A rolling demonstration of biodiesel blends has been successfully conducted in Montreal. The BIO BUS test cut carbon dioxide emissions by 1300 tonnes - about the same as taking 500 cars off the road for a year. Toronto’s Transit Commission is also bio-fuelling 180 of its buses. The goal is to reduce smog and prove that biodiesel blends can operate during harsh winters without gumming up engines. Maintenance workers are already seeing benefits - they are breathing easier in the garage.

Biodiesel’s versatility is also being demonstrated on water. In partnership with the Government of Canada, cruise ships operating out of the old port of Montreal have been test run on  biodiesel.

Pierre Sylvestre, BioMer Program Coordinator, Environment Canada:

With the Bio-Mer program we have 12 boats that are running on bio diesel and what we get is less emissions, less greenhouse gases, so quality of air is improved in a city like Montreal for example. It’s also good for the water because bio diesel is biodegradable. It’s an oxygenated fuel that is made from renewable material like recycled oils. So that helps water, for example if you have spills.

Narrator:

This trial and others are demonstrating that biodiesel is reducing emissions, is versatile in application and is fuelling climate change strategies across Canada and around the globe.