With a growing emphasis on sustainability and the environment, the U.S. and Canada set targets to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
As states and equipment manufacturers set carbon neutrality and net emissions goals of their own, more fleets and jobsites are striving each day to meet “green quotas” as they go about their daily work.
A focus on sustainability means more than environmental benefits. Sustainability can also play a direct role in reducing energy usage and improving efficiency, resulting in increased profitability.
Equipment that runs on battery power and other alternative power sources has gained in popularity. Still, options that create environmentally friendly solutions for diesel consumption are critical. This is where renewable diesel – a new diesel option that is 100 percent sustainable and renewable – takes the stage.
Renewable diesel 101
Traditionally, diesel – also called petroleum diesel or fossil fuel – is made from crude oil. It has long been a popular fuel for large equipment due to diesel engines’ ability to take on heavy-duty work.
Although petroleum diesel is often favored, it is derived from a non-renewable source of energy and contributes to air pollution. Biodiesel’s introduction created an option to reduce these concerns.
Biodiesel has its limitations, though. It’s not a direct drop-in replacement for diesel and doesn’t perform as well in cold temperatures due to its chemical composition.
Enter renewable diesel. With components that maximize the benefits of both biodiesel and petroleum diesel, renewable diesel is setting the standard for the future.
Renewable diesel is a sustainable, low-carbon biofuel derived from waste products and other biomass such as vegetable oils, greases and natural fats. Like biodiesel, renewable diesel reduces particle emissions but is processed by treating oils with hydrogen at temperatures above 572 degrees, removing the limitations such as reduced shelf life and cold-weather performance first-generation biodiesel encountered.
The final step in the process is isomerization, which creates a fuel that’s almost chemically identical to petroleum diesel. This means renewable diesel can be used interchangeably with petroleum diesel without requiring additives or special blends.
Storing renewable diesel follows the same guidelines as oils such as petroleum diesel, kerosene and other fuel blends. Storage regulations vary depending on the location and use of the tank but typically require a UL Listed tank and a form of secondary containment. On-site fuel storage manufacturers understand these guidelines, and some have created their fuel tanks to be UL Listed and include double-walled containment to eliminate the need for a secondary containment pan.