Can homegrown biodiesel make a difference?
Like every 3rd world country, Bangladesh is heavily dependent on fossil fuel. The transportation, agricultural, and power sector are primary consumer of this fossil fuel. They create a negative impact on the economy of this country because government needs to import most of it from abroad. Homegrown biodiesel might be a solution to this problem. Biodiesel is bio-degradable, renewable and most importantly- non-toxic. It's basically fatty acid methyl ester which is used as an alternative fuel for diesel engines. It is produced by chemically reacting a vegetable oil or animal fat with an alcohol such as methanol.
Recently a handful studies were done by local and international researchers assessing the potential of biodiesel from feed-stocks, production procedure, performance of these biodiesel in conventional diesel engine, impact on the environment, financial feasibility etc. Most of the outcomes of the studies were optimistic. Researchers concluded that mustard, Jatropha curcas, rapeseed, sesame, castor, cottonseed, neem, algae, coconut, groundnut are some of the potential biodiesel feedstock. Bangladesh has arable lands that can be used to produce that biofuel feedstock. A study shows that, by using the available rail and road sides of Bangladesh, 2.4 million tonnes of non-edible oil seeds can be produced every year which will supply 1.3 tonnes of oil of which at least 1million ton can be transformed into biodiesel.
Seeing this unique and untapped industry, Honda Denki Co., a multi-billion dollar Japanese company, already expressed their interest to invest up to US$1 billion in Bangladesh's biofuels and sugar sectors in 2007. If the production of biodiesel is done commercially then studies show that the cost per liter of biodiesel will be less than Tk. 120/- per liter (USD 1.5 /Liter). Compared to that, the current market diesel price per liter is Tk. 68/- . So homegrown biodiesel is viable and should be considered as an alternate source of energy. However, production of biodiesel is a bit challenging. Availability of affordable feedstock, high QC standards, expensive infrastructures etc. are some of the issues that are restricting the growth of homegrown biodiesel industry in Bangladesh. Both government & public corporations should come forward to develop the policies which in long term will make production of biodiesel cost-effective.
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