Biodiesel in Toronto, Ontario

4Refuel is the LEADER in fuel management services in Canada. We supply over 1 million liters per month of blended biodiesel to municipal and corporate fleets throughout the Greater Vancouver Regional District and the Province of British Columbia. On-site biodiesel refueling allows fleet operators to reduce overhead and improve efficiency since vehicles are refueled during idle hours, saving you time and money. Last year our clients saved over $5.5 million in refueling costs.

City of Toronto Biodiesel Test Projects

The City of Toronto in 2002 decided to embark upon biodiesel testing of B100 biodiesel (100% biodiesel). In 2003, the City of Toronto continued to test the effects of biodiesel in relation to fuel management and reduction of emissions, performing what was to date the largest trial of B50 (50% conventional diesel, 50% biodiesel) in Canada to date. During this trial, over 800,000 liters of B50 biodiesel was used in vehicles and equipment and after 18 months of testing, no negative operational impacts were found. As a result of the testing, recommendations were made to partially replace 6,900,000 liters of diesel fuel with biodiesel.

City of Toronto Biodiesel Programs

An earlier adopter of biodiesel fuel management, the City of Toronto began a biodiesel program in 2003, and continued the program through to 2006, although opting out in 2005. However, in July 2005, biodiesel was readily available at City fuelling stations with over 300,000 liters of biodiesel absorbed. The outcome of the program was to implement the benefits seen in the test projects, reducing carbon dioxide emissions and enhancing fuel management. Reducing emissions throughout the municipalities was one way the City of Toronto could aid in lessening the effects of global warming.

The United State’s policy on renewable fuel aided in the decision to use corn and soy as feedstock for the type of biodiesel selected. The supply of these crops along with the equipment and experience to utilize them in biodiesel fuel consumption was plentiful. One criticism of biofuels at this time was the amount of energy it took to create biodiesel from its raw form such as soy and corn. It is thought in the future, the switch to biomass or the industrial mustard plant will be more economically superior since minimal cultivation and irrigation are required.

    Participants of the Biodiesel Program include:

• City of Toronto Corporate Fleet and TTC
• Exhibition Place
• Toronto Hydro
• Toronto Zoo
• Brampton Transit

Toronto’s Greening our Fleet Program

In May 2004, the City of Toronto introduced a plan to reduce city vehicle emissions over the course of four years. Part of Toronto’s contribution for a healthier environment was creating a Green Fleet Transition Plan including the biodiesel clean fuel program mentioned previously. Also proposed is the replacement of 84% of all light-duty cars and pickups with hybrid-electric vehicles. The Green Fleet Transition plan is said to reduce emissions up to 23% over the next four years. The Green Fleet Transition plan will translate into reduced eCO2 emissions by 9,786,500 – 14,970,000 kg or 15.2 – 23.2 per cent from the use of biodiesel.

University of Toronto Research on Biodiesel Fuel

Between 2005 and 2006, the University of Toronto from support of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) conducted a study of compiling seed oils, animal fats and other common biodiesel ingredients to determine the quality of a form of biodiesel. The results of the study yielded a superior biodiesel and BIOX Corporation of Oakville, Ontario licensed the process, operating a 1-million-litre-per-year pilot demonstration plant.

Future of Biodiesel in Toronto

The City of Toronto continues to evaluate the benefits of biodiesel and awarded in 2007 the largest amount of funds allocated towards biodiesel consumption/fuel management. A pre-blended B05 (95% petroleum, 5% biodiesel) was selected over other biodiesel concentrations due to the major diesel engine manufacturers acceptance of this form. Adopting the use of biodiesel provides enhanced fuel management and reduced emissions by approximately 648,000 kg of equivalent carbon dioxide. The City of Toronto will also enjoy the benefit of fuel saving cots of approximately one cent/litre or $107,000. Shamrock Fuels Inc. is the supplier of biodiesel for various fuel sites operated across the City of Toronto.