Coffee biofuel powered transport in SA a possibility: Shell
Shell and green technology company bio-bean have announced that they plan to power some of London’s buses using a biofuel made partly from waste coffee grounds.
The B20 biofuel contains a 20% bio-component which contains part coffee oil, the companies said in a statement on Monday.
It will be added to the London bus fuel supply chain and will help to power some of the buses without the need for any modification.
Shell further indicated the possibility of the technology for transport in South Africa, especially considering the local popularity of the drink.
“South Africans drink more than 3 billion cups of coffee a year so by rethinking our approach to waste, we can create smarter global cities throughout SA,” it said.
“In comparison, the average Londoner drinks 2.3 cups of coffee a day which produces over 200,000 tonnes of waste a year, much of which would otherwise end in landfill with the potential to emit 126 million kg of CO2.”
Bio-bean works to collect some of these waste coffee grounds from high street chains and factories. The grounds are dried and processed before coffee oil is extracted. Bio-bean works with its fuel partner Argent Energy to process this oil into a blended B20 biofuel.
Up to 6,000 litres of coffee oil has been produced, which if used as a pure-blend for the bio component and mixed with mineral diesel to form a B20, could help power the equivalent of one London bus for a year.
“When it comes to clean energy, we are always looking for the next inventive solution, said Sinead Lynch, Shell UK Country chair. “A good idea can come from anywhere, but with the scale and commitment of Shell, we can help enable true progress.”
“We’re pleased to be able to support bio-bean to trial this innovative new energy solution which can help to power buses, keeping Londoners moving around the city – powered in part by their waste coffee grounds,” she said.
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