HVO has been one of the leading choices in alternatives to fossil fuels for a while now. This is a hydrogenated vegetable oil that reacts with other oils under immense pressure and high temperatures. The HVO fuel price may be higher than the charge for regular fossil diesel at the moment, but its use results in up to 90% fewer carbon emissions. HVO fuel is thought to be the future of fuel, and various industries are increasingly looking to utilise it in their production and operations.
HVO is a beneficial form of fuel because it contains very few impurities and burns cleanly. It is also made from renewable sources and does not contain Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (FAME), one of the leading causes of problems in terms of fuel storage and fuel blockages that result from biodiesel. FAME degrades over time due to oxidation which may result in residual deposits. The contents of fuels that contain FAME are also prone to fold-flow waxing and precipitation.
HVO, on the other hand, contains high volumes of molecules which burn easily for faster ignition and combustion. What’s more, it reduces smoke and particulate emissions. It’s also a great drop-in replacement for many fuels, including diesel, gas oil, and kerosene and can be mixed and blended with these and other traditional fuels.
HVO can perform well in cold weather and is capable of being stored safely for long-term use. Using HVO will also reduce emissions of CO and CO2 from your vehicle because of its high hydrogen to carbon ratio. Some even claim that it reduces NOx emissions.
Because the supply of fossil fuels is steadily being phased out, alternative fuels are much sought after, and many industries are adapting to HVO. Some industries that currently use HVO fuel include the transport sector, home heating suppliers, and more. The main reason for the increasing popularity of HVO is how helpful it is in meeting the UK’s decarbonisation goals.
Although supply is currently limited, new technologies and production plants are gearing up to increase their output. At the moment, the low availability is making HVO fuel prices much higher than counterparts, but this will inevitably drop once production levels become steadier over time.
Biofuels are likely to play a significant part in the long-term solution to the UK’s energy needs. And although supply is still limited, HVO still poses one of the best ways for the UK to reach its goals in the short term. The industry should be encouraged to continue to find ways to increase the supply so that more individuals and businesses can use it for their operations.
HVO in Data Centres
As data is becoming increasingly important to existing and developing companies alike and to a host of other services besides, the data centre industry is rethinking its approach to backup power. Hyperscale operators have pledged to end their reliance on diesel to power existing backup generators, and this is where HVO comes in.
Kao Data recently led the way by choosing to switch to less carbon-intensive fuels. It was a logical step, the company stated. Kao Data said that the shift is projected to eliminate up to 90 per cent of net CO2 emissions from their backup generators and reduce the release of nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter into the atmosphere.
HVO is significantly better for the environment compared to traditional mineral diesel. It is also 100% renewable, sustainable, non-toxic, and biodegradable.
Kao Data is the first company within its industry to initiate such a project and shift to HVO. Their move makes them the leading proponent in the data centre industry and will greatly push the reduction of industrial greenhouse gas emissions forward.
The data centre will replace an initial 45,000 litres of diesel and switch to HVO provision of more than 750,000 litres once work on their new campus is finished. This project will completely eliminate the use of fossil fuels in their operations. It will also help reduce Scope 3 emissions in their customer supply chain.
Most importantly, switching to HVO fuels will show how the industry can take a critical step towards protecting the environment, said Chief Technology Officer at Kao Data, Gerard Thibault.
With the push towards a greener world, HVO will play a key role in transitioning from fossil fuels. It will also benefit countries financially, especially in industries involving transport and construction.
Moreover, HVO can help reduce greenhouse emissions substantially, will not compromise the performance of the engines, and will achieve all this in an environmentally and financially sustainable manner.
HVO Performance
As a part of the paraffinic diesel fuels family, the European Standardisation body, CEN, paved the way for legislators to refer to these fuel types as the greener and cleaner alternative fuels.
In addition to having longer shelf life and a nature that means it combusts readily, HVO can also be filtered easily. It is biodegradable, which has been confirmed to the OECD test guideline 301 B, and its cold properties reduce the risk of precipitation that can cause operability problems.
In a case study, HVO fuel was used in an excavator working at high-load and in very wet and muddy conditions for a period of 15 hours a day. The work rate of the 6,000 litres was comparable to that of diesel. No change in performance was noted.
Over the course of the study, 17,502 kg of CO2 was saved, and there was a 10 per cent overall reduction in fuel consumption.
HVO has a host of benefits going for it, so there is little to worry about for businesses that are thinking of making the shift.
Next Generation Eco-Friendly Fuel
Many companies are making the switch to HVO fuel because it is more economical and environmentally friendlier. But if you want to join their number, you need to find the best supplier in the UK. You also want a partner that provides high-quality HVO fuel without compromising on price or customer service.
Here at HVO Fuel UK, you can rely on our professional services. We have been working with industry giants since 2013, providing them with low-carbon fuels at competitive prices. We use the latest technology to manage our stocks, and we streamline our invoicing process to ensure peace of mind throughout.
We also offer supplies to distributors around the country. Contact us if you would like further details by phoning 0114 400 0186 or by emailing [email protected].
