Mateo Le Coz | 10 février 2021
Greenhouse gas emissions from traditional fuels are increasing. In order to reduce those emissions, an association of national companies under the name of Advanced Biofuels Canada has existed since 2005. The objective of the association is to promote the production and use of advanced biofuels in Canada, and to collaborate with other stakeholders to increase market access for low carbon fuels and cooperate in the decarbonization of transportation.
A biofuel is a fuel produced from non-fossil organic materials, derived from biomass, that complements or replaces traditional fossil fuel. Association also represents companies that make renewable synthetic fuels, such as those produced from direct here capture of CO2.
Biofuels such as ethanol, HDRD and biodiesel Been the primary contributors to reduce emissions from the use of gasoline and diesel. These biofuels have, in the last decade, reduced their carbon footprint as well as their production costs.
To continue the reduction of CO2 emissions, provincial governments have put in place measures to promote the renewable fuels (biofuels). Each province has a different target, with British Columbia being the most aggressive in reducing the use of gasoline and diesel. Ontario, and the Prairie provinces all have some form of renewable fuel policy. Is in the process of developing it’s own provincial renewable fuel mandate.
The renewable share of fuels used in Canada is increasing gradually. Renewable content in gasoline is at nearly 6% while renewable content in diesel is at 2.5% of the total. Compared to the United States, 10% for gasoline and 5% for diesel, Canada remains behind in biofuels. However, it is expected that Canada will increase its production to reach figures close to the United States in the coming years with policies such as the federal Clean Fuel Regulation projected to come into force in 2022.
Studies done by Canadian Institute for Climate Choices on the energy consumption of the transportation industry predict significant change in the fuels used in the coming decades.
The consumption of petroleum-based products will have a significant decrease while renewable products will have a considerable increase. Biofuels are expected to play a significant role if technology and feed socks can be scaled up. Likewise, electricity consumption will be higher for light-heavy vehicles, with hydrogen technology expected to be focused largely on heavy duty vehicles.