will be compatible with virtually all existing oil heating systems . However , undertaking rigorous trials is essential to provide the level of confidence in the new fuel that consumers and government will demand , so this is a key step in the process of bringing the fuel to market . It also enables industry to learn about the characteristics of the new fuel and to prepare the guidance information that heating technicians and fuel suppliers will require .
“ The trial is in its early stages , but we have plans to make it much bigger . To do this , we are applying for government innovation funding and are hopeful this will be successful .
“ There is increasing recognition by policy makers that many off-gas-grid households will not be able to convert to other types of renewable heating in a cost-effective way , due to the high cost of both the appliance and energy efficiency improvements that will be needed . Consequently , there is a huge opportunity for a renewable liquid fuel such as HVO to heat these hard-to- treat homes .
“ Conversion to HVO from kerosene will lower the carbon emissions of the average home by around 88 % – a huge reduction and greater than both heat pumps and biomass systems . If our industry can provide governments with the evidence that HVO offers a low cost , reliable and disruption-free solution , then we should be able to retain a significant market share and play a vital role in meeting the net zero target .”
Expansion of the trials The trial is now expanding , with other distributors trialling HVO with their own
customer base . Mitchell and Webber has also expanded the appliances that they are testing HVO with as John confirms :
“ It ’ s working better than expected at the moment , but we are rigorously testing this over an extended period of time and also for 5 different appliances , not just boilers .”
So far , the biofuel has also been used to fuel a customer ’ s Aga cooker , with a pot burner conversion , and initial results show that more heat is produced with less fuel used .
Financial and policy support will be key to success Commenting on the expansion of these trials in the UK , Paul Rose said :
“ Up to now , the trials have been funded by industry itself , whether by trade associations such as OFTEC and UKIFDA , or by individual companies such as Mitchell and Webber , who are passionate about the potential that HVO offers . The fact that we have done this underlines how serious our industry is , and the good news is that this work is being coordinated by a steering committee covering both fuel distributors and OFTEC . This will enable us to capture the learning outcomes and maximise the PR and policy value of this work .”
Looking ahead to the next stages of the trials , Ken Cronin said :
“ The next stage for us will be to expand the trial geographically and across the range of possible appliances and talk to government about making this a reality .”
Paul Rose also highlighted how expanding the trials will be expensive , hence the industry bodies bidding for government funding :
“ The government has already supported other heating sectors – for example a massive heat pump trial is underway – so given the comparatively modest funding we will be looking for , there ’ s every reason to be hopeful . The aim will be to have a much-expanded trial underway for the next heating season . Paul continues : “ This year will be important in terms of determining future heat policy and the role HVO will play . To achieve policy support for HVO , we will need to progress the field trial and overcome outstanding concerns about availability and sustainability . The latter issue should be straightforward – HVO produced in Europe already satisfies very strict sustainability regulations .
“ Availability is more of a challenge because other sectors such as transportation also need the fuel . However , HVO production is ramping up rapidly and we are in direct contact with producers who are keen to supply our market . So , we are increasingly confident that supply will be available if HVO is supported in heating by government policy .
“ This is essential because , at least initially , some form of subsidy may be necessary to cushion consumers from an increase in cost . However , the need to find a credible solution for hard-to-treat rural homes means that government support should be forthcoming , and this is something that everyone in our industry should be pushing for .”
In Cornwall , Mitchell and Webber continue to see successes with the trial and look ahead to welcoming the G7 leaders , who will be meeting at Carbis Bay in Cornwall , in just over two months .
Commenting on why Cornwall was chosen to host this meeting to promote a better , green world , Boris Johnson was quoted in a local paper saying :
“ Both these ambitions are summed up in Cornwall where the UK`s renewable energy industry and conservation projects point the way to a green industrial future .”
The visitors will include the new US President as well as the leaders of Canada , France , Germany , Italy , Japan , Australia , South Korea and the President of the EU . John Weedon commented : “ With the UK also hosting COP26 in Glasgow this November , the UK is very much under the spotlight !”
We look forward to seeing how the trials progress and expand over the next year and to covering more history-in-the-making moves from the fuel oil industry in the UK .
Fuel Oil News | March 2021 15