By: NATASHA SMITH
AN ALTERNATIVE source of fuel could one day replace current energy resources in the Algarve as a company is pioneering a project to collect used cooking oils to be converted into biodiesel.
The fuel will be a much cheaper alternative and more environmentally friendly.
Algarve based environmental association, Almargem, plans to collect used domestic oils from homes, restaurants and factories from drop-off points and take them to a centre where the used oils will be treated and converted into diesel. Similar projects have already begun in other parts of the country including Oeiras, but the hope for this project, which is called Biodiesalgarve, will incorporate the region as a whole.
The project has been approved by the Environment and Economy ministries as well as the support from many câmaras in the Algarve.
However, the project can only come to fruition once it has been approved by the regional development commission, CCDR, to obtain funding through the national strategy board, QREN.
João Santos, president of Almargem, told The Resident: “The application was already presented to the QREN, and further details are now under preparation. We expect to start the implementation of the project before the end of 2008 but it all depends now on the approval procedures for the financial aspects”.
Usually, oils from domestic and industrial sources end up in the water treatment system after being flushed or poured down drains, or in dumps along with other rubbish, or even in rivers and seas.
Almargem plans to locate the oil drop-off points at recycling bins, which is more convenient for many people and this would maximise the amount that would be collected.
Advantages
As well as being more environmentally friendly, the alternative fuel presents many economic advantages. One litre of biodiesel would cost around half a euro, which is half the price of petrol, priced at around 1.10 euros per litre.
Initially the fuel will be used by public entities and only afterwards will be available to the general public.
The University of the Algarve, in Faro, has offered to analyse and control production of biodiesel and estimates are that around 2,400 tonnes of oil will be converted per year, but this could increase as more people take part and leave their oil at drop-off locations.
Biodiesel could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 75 per cent, carbon monoxide is reduced by 50 per cent and sulphur emissions are reduced by 100 per cent.
Almargem referred to a case study, where this system has worked in the UK. All used oil from fast food chain, McDonald’s, is converted into biodiesel and used in the company’s transport vehicles. Biodiesel could potentially be sold in all petrol stations in the Algarve.
Do you have a view on this story? Email: editor@portugalresident.com
