Concerns regarding oil dependency, energy security and emissions have led to new technologies that convert biomass to biofuels, the only renewable liquid transportation fuels available.
Conventional biofuels made from natural vegetable oils and fats are processed to produce biodiesel – a replacement for petroleum diesel fuel. Second generation biofuels are produced from sustainable feedstock.
Hawaii Island leads the way with the state’s newest and most advanced biodiesel production facility. Big Island Biodiesel opened in Keaau in July 2012 and in doing so increased the state’s biodiesel production capacity 500%, to 5.5 million gallons per year. Close to the facility site is the world’s largest commercial jatropha feedstock farm.
New technologies and feedstock are emerging on Hawaii Island including marine microalgae, eucalyptus and jatropha biofuel crops and microwave processing.
