In this list you will find answers at many questions concerning the activities of Diligent Energy Systems. You can not find the answer on your question? please contact our team at:  . - To what extent could the new generation of biofuels change the dynamics of the biofuels market? - What is, at the moment, the most developed type of feedstock? - Currently in the automotive industry, what is the most developed flex fuel? What would be, between flex fuel and hybrid vehicle, the principal field of research for the future? - How could the lack of incentive in less developed countries affect their capabilities to become sizeable suppliers of biofuels? - Given the priorities in the domestic agenda in the main consumer countries, how is it possible to plan a business model based on the export market? - What are the energetic and economic advantages of biodiesel from Jatropha in comparison to other biofuel sources and oil? - Are the environmental benefits of biofuel only related to emissions? - Can I drive my car on biodiesel? - Can I drive my car on SVO without modifications? - Can I only use SVO in the modified engine? - Does Diligent also supply biofuels to private customers? - Have biofuels other emission advantages other than CO2 reduction only? - How about CO2 during the use of biofuels? - What are the scientific reasons to choos Jatropha Curcas? - What is being changed in the engine modification? - What is the current Dutch situation in relation to biofuels? - What is the difference between Jatropha and rapeseed oil? - What is the difference between Jatropha oil and Palm oil? - What is the difference between SVO and biodiesel? - What is the distribution of Jatropha Curcas? - What is the Dutch policy vis-à-vis biofuels? - How is this European policy being implemented? - What is the potential of energy supply with Jatropha? - Why does Diligent bring these fuels to Europe? - Why does Diligent obtain its fuel from developing countries, and not from Europe. - What is the European policy vis-à-vis biofuels? - Why is biodiesel different than SVO? Q. To what extent could the new generation of biofuels change the dynamics of the biofuels market? A. Biofuels are traditionally distinguished as 1st generation and 2nd generation biofuels. 1st generation biofuels typically refer to biofuels (bio-oil, biodiesel and ethanol) made from crops that are also grown for food markets and are already available as commodity products, but which generally have a poor overall carbon balance (possibly even negative) and a negative impact on social and ecological sustainability. Jatropha oil is seen by many researchers as a 2nd generation biofuel, because it has a much better carbon balance, and does not compete with food markets. 2nd generation biofuels, including Jatropha oil, cannot yet compete with these 1st generation biofuels on costs alone (although with the market prices being paid for vegetable oils in the last 12 months, Jatropha might soon be able to compete directly on costs with rapeseed, soy bean and palm oil). However, there is growing criticism in western markets on the policies that promote 1st generation biofuels, and there are policy developments that make such biofuels increasingly subject to strict conditions on net carbon balance and other sustainability impacts. What impact that will have on the competitiveness of current feedstocks remains difficult to assess, but it certainly will reduce the current gap between production costs of Jatropha versus the current mainstream vegetable oil feedstocks. Other 2nd generation biofuels include technologies such as biodiesel from algae, various technologies to ... More on this topic > back to top Q. What is, at the moment, the most developed type of feedstock? A. Depending on regional policies and market situations, these are: as diesel alternative (directly or as biodiesel feedstock): rapeseed oil, soy bean oil, palm oil, and used fats as ethanol feedstock: sugar and wheat as biomass for electricity generation: wood pellets, waste wood, other organic waste fractions  As described above, these are 1st generation feedstocks, with most of them having significant drawbacks in the field of sustainability, and increasingly subject to sustainability criteria that mainstream producers may find difficult to meet. back to top Q. Currently in the automotive industry, what is the most developed flex fuel? What would be, between flex fuel and hybrid vehicle, the principal field of research for the future? A. Flex fuel hybrids? Frankly, Diligent does not have a view on what will be the most likely type of vehicle for the future. Diligent aims to produce vegetable oil, which can be used either as a fuel in itself, or be a feedstock in biodiesel production. There are numerous possible end-uses, including stationary applications such as combined heat and power generation plants in urban areas; use as fuel in industrial applications and construction equipment; used as fuel in remote electricity generation from diesel generators; or indeed as transport fuel for vehicles. We keep all options open. back to top Q. How could the lack of incentive in less developed countries affect their capabilities to become sizeable suppliers of biofuels? A. This question is not clear to us – which lack of incentive? Agriculture has been neglected in Africa by investors for many years, and there is significant interest from governments to promote agricultural investments. Biofuel, too, is seen – at least by the Tanzanian government – as a promising industry for the country and receives good support from the government. A constraining aspects is that governments are not eager to give away too many land leases for too long periods, but that applies not only to less developed countries, and plays in the interest of Diligent’s model anyway. Nevertheless, there are off course difficulties to doing business, not least the poor state of infrastructure combined with long distances and low population densities. These barriers offset some of the benefits from e.g. low labour costs. In our evaluation, Tanzania comes out as a good candidate for biofuel production because among countries with good soil and climate conditions for Jatropha, it has low labour costs, a stable government, access to sea – which sufficiently offset the low road density and high logistic costs. back to top Q. Given the priorities in the domestic agenda in the main consumer countries, how is it possible to plan a business model based on the export market? A. As stated before, the markets for vegetable oil as biofuel are fairly diverse, each segment having its own dynamics. We do not see that, in Europe at least, there are tendencies to prefer nationally produced biofuels over imported fuels – and there will be a shortage of nationally (or EU) produced biofuels anyway. At least for now, Diligent seeks to keep all options open in order to hedge risks on both national and international markets. For smaller volumes in the initial production stages, Diligent considers national markets more feasible than export markets. back to top Q. What are the energetic and economic advantages of biodiesel from Jatropha in comparison to other biofuel sources and oil? A. As commercial production of Jatropha biofuel is still in its infancy, there is still no definite calculation of the net carbon balance of Jatropha biofuel – but a recent study of the Dutch Institute of Public Health and Environment put the reduction of GHG emissions from Jatropha biofuel compared to fossil fuel at 60% - most of it associated with artificial fertilizers deemed necessary on the longer term. Energy consumption for the production of Jatropha oil is limited, and only involves transport and processing energy inputs (no energy inputs in the agricultural production stage).   As explained before, Jatropha is a cost competitive alternative to other biofuels that are subject to the same sustainability standards. Certainly in dry tropical climates such as in Tanzania, Jatropha is among the cheapest vegetable oils to produce.   An economic comparison with fossil fuel is tricky as fossil fuel prices fluctuate significantly and market prices are significantly impacted by government regulation. In Tanzania, Jatropha oil is a locally competitive fuel to fossil diesel if fuel levies are not applied to biofuels (but road tolls are). The government of Tanzania is currently evaluating a request of Diligent to be given a waiver for both fuel levies and road taxes over the next seven years, or longer until a nation-wide policy on taxation of vegetable oils as biofuel is adopted. back to top Q. Are the environmental benefits of biofuel only related to emissions? A. SVO is a purely natural product and therefore not dangerous to the environment. It can be stored without additional safety measures in standard plastic tanks. It does not evaporate or pollute groundwater, and is quickly biologically decomposed. FAME (biodiesel) is a processed natural product. It can be used and stored in the conventional diesel infrastructure. It is less dangerous for groundwater than diesel. Diesel also quickly and completely decomposes biologically. back to top Q. Can I drive my car on biodiesel? A. Every diesel vehicle can drive on biodiesel (FAME). The characteristics of diesel and biodiesel are very comparable. Because biodiesel acts to a small degree as solvent, it may sometimes, on the longer term, damage fuel gauges. Most newer cars, however, are already fitted with resistent gauges. Contact your manufacturer or distributor to inform about this. Furthermore, dirt that has deposited itself in the fuel system over years of use, may be freed up by using biodiesel. This may lead to clogging of the fuel filter after several refuellings. back to top Q. Can I drive my car on SVO without modifications? A. Every diesel engine with work on SVO initially. This is something else than optimal performance and long-term satisfaction, however. A modification consists of a coherent set of measures to make a car optimally suited to run on SVO. Every modification is specifically developed for the brand and type of car, user profile and client requests. back to top Q. Can I only use SVO in the modified engine? A. No, the modified car has become a flexi fuel vehicle: you can now use diesel, biodiesel or SVO in any relation. This means you are always mobile, even when sometimes no SVO is available. Obviously you only achieve environmental gains when you use biofuel. back to top Q. Does Diligent also supply biofuels to private customers? A. Due to the current duty regime in the Netherlands for biofuels, Diligent Energy Systems cannot supply fuel to private customers. back to top Q. Have biofuels other emission advantages other than CO2 reduction only? A. Plant-based fuels are by nature almost free of sulphur, and therefore do not contribute to the problem of 'acid rain'. Furthermore, engines on biodiesel and well converted SVO engines emit less fine particles than diesel, while these particles are also less carcinogenic. The emissions of nitrogen oxides, however, can increase slightly through the use of biofuels compared with diesel. back to top Q. How about CO2 during the use of biofuels? A. Because plants fixate carbondioxide (CO2) during growth, the emissions of CO2 during use of the fuel is being compensated. There is, consequently, a closed circle. The net CO2 emissions of biofuels are therefore nearly zero. This contributes significantly to the abatement of global warming, which is caused by increased concentrations of greenhouse gases such as CO2. back to top Q. What are the scientific reasons to choos Jatropha Curcas? A. "Jatropha Curcas is a pioneer that can grow with a minimum of water, nutrition and protection. Because of these limited requirements and the fact that it is a perrenial plant, the energy balance is very positive. Mature Jatropha plants can serve as hedgerow, or provide shade and protection within which more fragile food crops can survive. In this way, farm land can be used double. As Jatropha is inedible, the ethical dilemma of food versus fuel is avoided. Developing countries, with their fast growing demand for energy, can this way present themselves on world markets as energy supplier, instead of having to invest in expensive fossil fuel." back to top Q. What is being changed in the engine modification? A. It is important that, before starting the modification, the engine itself is in tip-top condition. The core of the modification is formed by a heat exchanger which uses cooling water to pre-heat the SVO. This makes the fuel more viscose. Furthermore, a second tank may be installed to be able to start the engine on conventional diesel. Finally, injectors and sparking plugs need to be adapted. back to top Q. What is the current Dutch situation in relation to biofuels? A. Because of the disadvantageous tax regime, only a limited number of initiatives have started on the Dutch market. Combined these initatives now (end 2005) represent only 0,2 percent of the Dutch gasoline and diesel market. Please visit the "GAVE" site of SenterNovem for an overview of Dutch initiatives in the area of biofuels. back to top Q. What is the difference between Jatropha and rapeseed oil? A. Apart from the fact that Jatropha is inedible, there are no real differences. Both oils are obtained by crushing oilseeds, and consist like any vegetable oil of trigycerides. The energy content is also the same. back to top Q. What is the difference between Jatropha oil and Palm oil? A. The characteristics of Jatropha SVO are comparable with those of rapeseed oil. Jatropha oil is therefore highly suitable as fuel for dieselengines. Palm oil, on the other hand, is not fluid at room temperature. Using palm oil in car engines would require substantial modifications In addition, there have been increasing doubts recently about the sustainability of palm oil production. Jatropha grows on marginal, dry soils. Jatropha oil of Diligent will always come from sustainably managed farmland for which no rainforests have been cut. Farmers producing Jatropha for Diligent receive a fair price for their seeds. As a consequence, cost price of Jatropha cannot be compared with that of palm oil. back to top Q. What is the difference between SVO and biodiesel? A. SVO is Straight Vegetable Oil, a purely natural product made by crushing oilseeds. SVO is made up out of so-called triglycerides, which are large molecules consisting of a 'backbone' of glycerine with three fatty acid 'tails' attached. During the production of so-called Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME, i.e. biodiesel), the SVO molecules are split up under the addition of a caustic solution and methanol.The caustic solution causes the molecules to split. The methanol reacts with the fatty acid tails to a fatty acid methyl ester. The glycerine is separated, and is a valuable industrial resource. N.B. Biodiesel is therefore NOT a mixture of SVO and conventional diesel! back to top Q. What is the distribution of Jatropha Curcas? A. Jatropha Curcas, also known as physic nut or purging nut, is a tropical plant that is found in all continents in a broad band around the equator. It does not live in higher latitudes. back to top Q. What is the Dutch policy vis-à-vis biofuels? A. At this moment, use of biofuels in the Netherlands is accepted but subject to the same duties as for fossil fuels. For diesel fuels, this implies a duty of € 0,37 per liter. Exceptions to this are a number of pilot projects that have exempted from duty. back to top Q. How is this European policy being implemented? A. Two tracks can be identified. On the one hand, pure biofuels (SVO and FAME) can be promoted. This is the route currently being following in, among others, Germany. This provides the consumer with the option to tank biofuel or not. On the other hand, a small percentage of biofuel can also be mixed with conventional fuel. Several percentage points of FAME in diesel or bio-ethanol in gasoline do not alter the properties of the fuel but do realise the environmental benefits. This approach is chosen in, e.g., France, Italy and Sweden. back to top Q. What is the potential of energy supply with Jatropha? A. According to researchers of Universität Hohenheim in Stuttgart there is worldwide some 2 billion hectare of land which is too dry or too much eroded for common agricultural crops, but on which pioneering plants such as Jatropha might still grow. Using this land for oil production could provide about 80 EJ of energy. This is 20% of the current world energy use (400 EJ). In addition, there is much desert land of which the potential is still unclear, as well as land that is currently not being used as farm land but would be suitable for such a function. back to top Q. Why does Diligent bring these fuels to Europe? A. The European market for biofuels expands fast and this is noticeable worldwide. At this moment, it is more attractive to sell Jatropha oil in Europe than in the country of origin. back to top Q. Why does Diligent obtain its fuel from developing countries, and not from Europe. A. For now, demand for biofuel in Europe can still be met with rapeseed oil. With rising demand, however, availability of farm land will become a constraint for conventional oil crops. Jatroipha grows also on marginal, eroded lands and thereby makes areas available for production that would otherwise remain unused. back to top Q. What is the European policy vis-à-vis biofuels? A. The European Union agreed in 2003 that all member states are to ensure a growing share of biofuel in transport energy use. The target for 2006 was 2%, then growing every year with 0.75% to 5.75% in 2011. Memberstates are free to determine how they will implement this policy. back to top Q. Why is biodiesel different than SVO? A. The characteristics of SVO as a fuel are quite different from diesel. Especially during cold periods, use of SVO requires certain measures. The large molecules of vegetable oil cause the oil to be thicker during low temperatures, or even to solidify. Since the molecules of FAME (biodiesel), the fuel has much higher viscosity. This ensures that biodiesel can also at lower temperatures be used in conventional dieselengines, without restrictions. back to top