Biofuels

Using biofuel blends is one way New Zealand drivers can help address climate change impacts, including reducing the emissions from our transport sector.

The information contained on this page brings together numerous resources on the sustainability of biofuels, the biofuels sales obligation, fuel quality regulations, research funding, domestic biofuels development, and published reports about biofuels.

 

Sustainability

Biofuels around the world vary in they way they are produced with differing impacts on climate change, the environment and people. New Zealand is working towards ensuring we produce and access only sustainable biofuels both today and in the future.

Sustainability is about making the right choices to reduce our impact on the environment. When it comes to biofuels, this means ensuring biofuels we use in New Zealand do not compete with food production, do not come from rainforest areas or other environmentally important land and reduce overall carbon dioxide emissions, even when you factor in transporting them here from overseas.

Work is underway on developing and implementing sustainability requirements for biofuels. This way we can ensure that biofuels available for sale in New Zealand will be sustainably produced and deliver net reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

Further information on the sustainability of potential biofuel sources for New Zealand can be viewed on the ENERGYWISE™ site, and at the bottom of this web page under Reports.

 

Biofuels Sales Obligation

The New Zealand government has announced plans to introduce a Biofuels Sales Obligation that will require all oil companies to supply biofuels from 2008. This is contained in the Biofuel Bill currently before Parliament.

For information on the progress of biofuels policy and legislation please visit the Ministry of Economic Development website and the Parliament website.

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Fuel Quality Regulations

The quality of biofuels and biofuel blends for sale in New Zealand is controlled by the Engine Fuel Quality Regulations. The regulations were developed in consultation with the oil and motor vehicle industries and come into effect from 1 July 2008.

If you are thinking of making your own biofuel visit the Biofuels specifications and regulations page.

 

Research Funding

There are funding programmes available that are working towards the development of biofuels for New Zealand.

• The Low Carbon Energy Technologies Fund seeks to assist public and private organisations who have completed basic research and have demonstrated the potential of a new technology at proof of concept stage, to move through the pilot/demonstration plant stage.
• Various funding streams are available through New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) - Growth Services Fund, Enterprise Development Grants, Australia New Zealand Biotechnology Partnership Fund (ANZBPF), and general (non-financial) support for business development such as for enterprise training, business mentoring etc.

 

Domestic Biofuels Development

Investment in biofuels production has been made by many New Zealand based companies. These commerical developments are important aspects of supporting the Biofuels Sales Obligation in New Zealand.

For more information contact the New Zealand Biofuel Manufacturers’ Association on (07) 574 8103.

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Reports

The following useful reports, studies and resources have been produced on biofuels.

Sustainability and biofuel sources:

• Brazilian sugarcane sustainability report (May 2008) Summary of report | Full report [PDF 462KB]
• Bioenergy options for New Zealand - Scion research (November 2007) [PDF 5.9MB]
• Methodology for testing the percentage of modern biological component in biofuel blends with radiocarbon dating (November 2007) [PDF 182KB]
• Primary energy and greenhouse gas emissions from biodiesel made from NZ tallow (2006) [PDF 329KB]
• An Estimate of the Cost, Energy Ratio and Carbon Balance of Maize Ethanol in New Zealand (December 2006) [PDF 518KB]
• Estimate of the Energy Potential for Fuel Ethanol from Putrescible Waste in NZ (June 2005) [PDF 1.16MB]
• Feasibility of Producing Diesel Fuels from Biomass in NZ (June 2003) [PDF 166KB]
• Costs of Biodiesel Production (May 2003) [PDF 139KB]
• Biodiesel from Tallow (November 2002) [PDF 479KB]

 

Consumer information:

• Bioethanol-blended petrol consumer brochure [PDF 172 KB]
• Consumer information on biofuel sustainability (February 2008) [PDF 2MB]
• Biofuels Research Study - EECA and AC Nielsen (July 2007)

 

Biofuels - general:

• Working with Bioethanol-Blended Petrol (July 2008) [PDF 2.76 MB]
• Biofuels Fact Sheet (June 2008) [PDF 169KB]
• Encouraging Uptake of Transport Biofuels Report (May 2005) [PDF 208KB]

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