[originally published in RealClear Energy]
Individuals simply celebrated July 4th, marking not solely our nation’s independence, but in addition peak barbecue season. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, Individuals devour an estimated seven billion sizzling canines. This previous 4th of July alone, Individuals consumed round 150 million sizzling canines. That’s loads of barbecues. And for a lot of, that additionally means loads of propane.
Whereas many Individuals depend on propane for our summer time barbecues, we get much more use out of it for residence and water heating and powering industrial and farming tools. Throughout the globe, 3 billion folks use propane as an vitality supply. With widespread use at this scale, it’s value supporting the efforts of these working to make the gas renewable.
Mixing renewable dimethyl ether (DME) into propane is likely one of the methods the trade is taking a look at lowering its carbon footprint.
One such firm main the cost is Oberon Fuels, who was the primary firm within the U.S. to supply renewable DME, which when blended with propane can scale back carbon depth (CI) scores by as much as 60%. Oberon additionally gives 100% renewable DME gas for sure transportation tools that’s been modified to make use of the gas. They’ve partnered with Suburban Propane and have been fueling autos in California with a DME/propane mix since 2022. As with all renewable fuels, renewable DME is made with sustainable sources like waste streams from breaking down bushes to make pulp, animal waste, meals and agricultural waste, and biomass.
As we grapple with the local weather disaster, we can not ignore any expertise that reduces our greenhouse fuel emissions. As President and CEO of Oberon Fuels Dr. Rebecca Boudreaux just lately jogged my memory, it could be a mistake to rely solely on electrification efforts that may be a long time away. “We wish to simplify issues like one answer goes to remedy all of the world,” she mentioned, “Electrification is simply as clear because the grid — which at this time often isn’t that inexperienced. Renewable DME provides us extra choices and suppleness now on a molecular degree for quite a lot of purposes — giving us better flexibility to deal with the issue and supply extra options to deal with local weather change.”
Renewable Propane is another choice with rising availability. It’s made as a byproduct of renewable diesel manufacturing (very similar to propane is a byproduct of oil and fuel refining). They work nicely collectively — and a mix of renewable DME and renewable Propane may make your BBQ carbon detrimental within the close to future! The World Liquid Gasoline Affiliation estimates that by 2050, renewable DME and renewable Propane may meet half the world’s demand for propane.
But, as is commonplace within the renewable fuels trade, progress is stifled by inconsistent laws. “Folks say chemistry is tough, however then there are laws,” mentioned Dr. Boudreaux.
Dr. Boudreaux elaborated that because of the upcoming election there’s uncertainty round insurance policies just like the Inflation Discount Act. Simply as necessary because the coverage itself is consistency. Renewable fuels services take years to assemble. Buyers require reassurance that regulation received’t drastically change by the point they’re accomplished.
With the correct assist, renewable DME and renewable Propane have the capability to gas the world’s propane wants. It’s not too quickly to get excited to pack a cannister of renewable Propane or renewable DME on a tenting journey or swap one in to your mower or mini-tractor doing yardwork. And sure, very quickly that may embody your summer time BBQ tank.
“We stay up for promoting renewable Propane blended with renewable DME for shopper utilization within the years to come back,” mentioned Dr. Boudreaux.
Michael McAdams is the president of the Superior Biofuels Affiliation.
