BlackGold Biofuels presented in the National Biodiesel Conference technical track session 33, “Sustainable Production Technologies.” Black Gold was selected for its pioneering work with brown grease.
The National Biodiesel Board defines sustainability as “meeting today’s needs in terms of environmental stewardship, economic prosperity, and quality of life without compromising future generations’ ability of to meet these needs for themselves.” Using BlackGold’s model for converting brown grease to biodiesel provides multiple sustainability advantages in terms of this triple bottom line (planet, profit, people).
Grease is a leading cause of sewer overflows, which cost municipalities millions in fines, damage public and private property, and release untreated contaminants into the watershed. Beneficial reuse for this grease creates incentives to keep grease traps properly maintained, reducing overflows. For biodiesel producers, raw materials comprise about 75% of production costs; starting with a low or negative-value, material translates into an ability to make fuel for a much lower cost. Reducing municipal costs and making renewable fuel production more profitable and affordable is always in favor, creating jobs and value to ratepayers. Using a local resource to help meet local energy needs increases energy security and strengthens the local economy, creating green collar jobs. And of course, biodiesel is a low-carbon, renewable alternative to conventional diesel fuel; addition to reducing dangerous emissions, it reduces our reliance on foreign petroleum.
