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TANKS & LOGISTICS 21
THE FAME GAME BIOFUELS • A SHIFT TO LOW-CARBON AND NET-ZERO FUELS IN HOUSEHOLD APPLICATIONS WILL REQUIRE GOVERNMENT COMMITMENT AS WELL AS THE COLLABORATION OF INDUSTRY THE FUEL DISTRIBUTION industry is one of many petroleum and petrochemical sectors currently facing up to the inevitability of the
nearly 2.2m homes across the two countries. The strategy pathway outlines five key challenges for the governments of the UK and
energy transition over the next few decades. One niche aspect of this will be the need to shift home heating fuels away from carbonintensive heating oil to more environmentally friendly alternatives, probably starting with biofuels. In order to help prepare for this lowercarbon future, three trade associations in the UK and Ireland have launched the ‘Supply Chain Strategy for Liquid Fuels’, which details the steps to be taken toward a transition to 100 per cent biofuel to replace heating oil in
Ireland if they are to achieve the necessary reduction in carbon emissions in the home heating sector: - To encourage and support energy efficiency measures to improve the energy performance of buildings, to reduce energy demand and the costs for housholds - To support supply chain preparations to accept a 30 per cent FAME/70 per cent kerosene blend fuel into existing installations by 2027, including an energy-led field trial - To support supply chain preparations to accept a low-carbon (zero fossil fuel) liquid fuel by 2035, following a full evaluation of the boiler and tank fleet - To be actively involved in transitional
INDUSTRY BELIEVES THAT CARBON TARGETS CAN BE MET USING THE EXISTING FUEL SUPPLY CHAIN
communications with consumers - To encourage all interested suppliers, both in the UK/Ireland and elsewhere in Europe, to evaluate all new low-carbon fuels and technologies, including gas-to-liquids, hydrogenated vegetable oil, e-fuels and biowaste products, which will complement and/or replace the fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) solution. POWER OF THREE “Our ‘Supply Chain Strategy for Liquid Fuels’ is a clarion call to government to respond to the huge environmental challenges we face with practical and inspiring policies that could help the 2.2m oil heated homes in the UK and Ireland switch to a low carbon liquid fuel,” says Paul Rose, chief executive of OFTEC, which represents the liquid fuelled heating and cooking industry. “Following detailed independent research that suggests that the cost of decarbonising liquid fuel for heating gives the best value to the consumer when compared with other low carbon solutions, we need policies to be ambitious enough for net zero but which also reflect the practical challenges and financial constraints of many households.” Guy Pulham CEO of the UK and Ireland Fuel Distributors Association (UKIFDA), says: “Liquid fuel, more specifically a bio product, can be part of the solution to achieve net zero. Government talks about large-scale electrification through the use of heat pumps, but we believe they need to look at alternatives as this is not feasible due to high installation and running costs of installing heat pumps for off grid homeowners. Recognising the Government’s targets on reducing fuel poverty, it is important any regulation around heat policy takes this into account.” Peter Davidson, chief executive of the Tank Storage Association (TSA), adds: “Together, we have developed an ambitious and realistic pathway, one which reduces risk, achieves short- and medium-term reduction in carbon emissions, puts the needs of the consumer first and encourages business to plan ahead in order to meet those needs.” www.oftec.org www.tankstorage.org.uk www.fpsonline.co.uk
HCB MONTHLY | FEBRUARY 2020
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