“ While some are sceptical of biofuels , the reality is that we now have HVO in NI and being burnt by local boiler manufacturers . We are also in discussions with the NI Housing Executive about a trial in public sector homes .
“ The future for biofuels as a viable and realistic option for decarbonising the liquid fuel and gathering pace .“
For further information contact David Blevings at ; david @ nioil . com or dblevings @ oftec . org
which has clearly not worked ( only 500 houses in Ireland have been retrofitted under this scheme thus far ). That leaves 50 % of emissions to contend with . This can then be addressed in the future with the new renewable fuels mentioned previously . So , we could massively reduce emissions whilst maintaining an oil distribution business as well as growing the renewable side of our business .”
Looking ahead Alan concludes ;
“ We would initially like to run trials at scale with the above solution with full monitoring and verification to prove that this concept not only works but can form part of an overall solution to the current emissions debate .
“ We sincerely hope that liquid fuels will be given a fair hearing and that the industry as a whole is included in any decision-making process .”
Wincanton diversifies to deliver a menu of decarbonisation strategies
DIVERSIFICATION CORNER
With the UK committed to net zero carbon by 2050 , we talk with Marcos Hart , group operations director for Wincanton , about the way the company is adapting to make the improvements , adjustments and breakthrough investments that customers need to achieve their own net zero targets in whatever timeframes they have committed to . Commenting on the focus of customers to achieve their net zero targets , Marcos says ; “ We need to remain flexible and maintain expertise and commercial relationships that allow us to deliver net zero emissions in everything from a light-commercial vehicle operation , perhaps through electrification , to a heavier truck operation where biofuels might be a better immediate solution .”
Experiencing more and more customers expressing a preference for sustainable supply chain solutions and setting net zero carbon targets that are much sooner than 2050 , Marcos explains ;
“ Ultimately , the momentum is building , and we anticipate bigger investments in alternative fuels , particularly if the UK Government can balance the commercial landscape towards them .
“ We have a menu of decarbonisation strategies that can be applied to the customer ’ s circumstances and timescales and allows us to deliver sustainable supply chain solutions within the commercial constraints and net zero aspirations set by the customer . This menu includes vision enabled telematics ; enhanced aerodynamics ; “ green ” tyres ; predictive power train control ; trailer telematics ; and a modern Euro VI fleet which helps us deliver the fuel efficiency benefits that the vehicle OEMs are going to be introducing in the short and medium term against mandatory European targets .
“ We already have electric vehicles on our commercial fleet and in our company car fleet where we expect to be saving money by going electric ,” Marcos adds . “ We have been operating and trialling liquid natural gas vehicles for over 5 years on a retrofit basis and latterly with vehicles supplied by OEMs directly .”
Making the net zero carbon journey together Whether or not distributors are choosing to stock alternative fuels currently , Wincanton are determined to ensure that deliveries are as carbon neutral as possible , with optimistic plans for the near future ;
“ We plan on utilising HVO , which , as a drop-in fuel , is an excellent decarbonisation solution if we can source it on a commercially acceptable basis from a sustainable source . We are engaging with hydrogen pioneers with a view to forming long term partnerships and innovation platforms to help us accelerate the development of the technology and take it to scale at the earliest opportunity . We believe that hydrogen is the fuel most likely to get us to zero carbon but that we may need to embrace other fuels during the transition .” Marcos concludes ; “ The faster we can get to net zero carbon and stay under a 1.5 ° C climate trajectory , the better for the planet so we can ’ t just stick with diesel until someone else develops the hydrogen / electric economy . We plan to be an innovator and trusted long-term partner for our customers and make the net zero carbon journey with them .”
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