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Formal report : an investigation into biodiesel production on UBC campus

University of British Columbia. Campus and Community Planning

Biodiesel has been produced on campus since 2002 and has contributed to reductions in discarded waste vegetable oil and Plant Operations vehicle emissions to varying degrees. Current biodiesel production has been limited to 500L a year due to lack of funding, and use of UBC-produced biodiesel by Plant Operations has not been as high as in previous years. This report addresses the subject of biodiesel production and consumption on campus; specifically, it details the social, economic, and environmental benefits of the use of biodiesel as part of a triple bottom line analysis. The scope of this project and its recommendations are based on the University of British Columbia campus. The findings and recommendations proposed in this report are based on both primary and secondary research. Stakeholders such as UBC Plant Operations representative Adam McCluskey, Vancouver Biodiesel Co-op Vice President Lucas Closs, and Chemical and Biological Engineering professor Dr. Naoko Ellis were all consulted in the research process. Economic indicators and projections were found to be promising. With an available WVO feedstock requiring minimal transportation, and the projections of a positive NPV, it can be concluded that the project is economically viable. Biodiesel was found to produce lower emissions in virtually all categories, notably those that affect human health. Biodiesel was also deemed compatible with Plant Operations vehicles, and can lubricate and reduce the noise level of the engines. The operation would allow the university to capitalize on the social benefits realized by the Vancouver Biodiesel Co-op, including opportunities for research and outreach programs. The recommendation is to proceed with the campus biodiesel operation. Disclaimer: “UBC SEEDS provides students with the opportunity to share the findings of their studies, as well as their opinions, conclusions and recommendations with the UBC community. The reader should bear in mind that this is a student project/report and is not an official document of UBC. Furthermore readers should bear in mind that these reports may not reflect the current status of activities at UBC. We urge you to contact the research persons mentioned in a report or the SEEDS Coordinator about the current status of the subject matter of a project/report.”

Text

University of British Columbia. APSC 262; UBC Social Ecological Economic Development Studies (SEEDS) Student Report

Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library

10.14288/1.0108546

Applied Science, Faculty of

Unreviewed

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.5/ca/