By Yasmeen Mohiuddin
Topia Energy Inc. plans to bring renewable fuel to a gas station near you.
The Centretown-based company opened Canada’s first retail biodiesel pump this March in Unionville, and because of its popularity it opened a second one in Toronto two months later. President Govindh Jayaraman says he hopes Ottawa will catch on to this environmentally friendly approach.
“The city could be a leader in making the fuel available to the entire populous of the city,” says Jayaraman.
Biodiesel, which is made from vegetable or other oils, can be used in any diesel engine, and some say the oils make the exhaust smell like fries or popcorn.
It reduces harmful emissions and increases lubrication in the engine, prolonging its life.
Biodiesel also contains raw materials such as canola and soy.
Currently, Ottawa’s fleet of diesel-fuelled vehicles includes more than 900 OC Transpo buses, which run on ultra low sulphur diesel. Topia’s fuel is a blend of 20 per cent biodiesel and 80 per cent regular petroleum diesel.
Although its price fluctuates like conventional gasoline, biodiesel’s fuel-efficiency means drivers get more mileage. However, the production costs are higher.
According to the Oregon Department of Energy, about 75 per cent of the cost of producing biodiesel comes from extracting, transporting and storing oil. The type of raw materials used, such as soybean or waste grease, also affects the price.
Still, the city would be wise to turn to renewable fuels for its vehicles, says Jayaraman. “Capital investment in your trucks lasts longer, your fuel goes further, your employees are happier and healthier and more productive,” says Jayaraman.
“At the end of the day you’re making sure that your dollars stay within your community, making the economy around your business more robust,” he adds.
But the main problem with the city’s adoption of biodiesel is not just its higher cost but supply as well, says Ken Wetzel, manager of the fleet services technical division.
“From Topia’s point of view it’s a chicken and egg sort of thing,” he says. “There’s a limited capacity to produce biodiesel. If we tried to run a whole fleet on it we would need enough to do it.”
Although Topia’s manufacturing plant is in Sudbury, Jayaraman says the possibility of opening a biodiesel station or plant in Ottawa depends on the market.
“We’re doing whatever we can to push the market along and create more local demand in Ottawa for our product,” he says.
Jayaraman says all levels of government need to get involved to make renewable energy competitive with other energy sectors and to help promote its use with the public.
Subsidies and regulation are just two of the ways to boost biodiesel awareness, he adds.
“We’re not subsidizing renewable energy with the same passion,” says Jayaraman.
“That sends a signal that we’re preferring one type of energy to another and frankly I think a lot of people would say we’re preferring the wrong kind.”