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Idaho Transportation
Department
Public Affairs Office
P.O. Box 7129
Boise, ID 83707
208.334.8005
Fax: 208.334.8563
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Workshops focus on biodiesel alternative

ITD and UI sources
The arrival of Hurricane Katrina and the blow it delivered on gasoline prices nationwide also triggered renewed interest in finding cheaper energy sources. Researchers and transportation officials in Idaho already were ahead of the storm surge.

A weeklong workshop in Boise this week focuses on the future of biodiesel as an alternative to traditional fossil fuel. The workshop continues through Sunday (Sept. 18) at the Centre on the Grove. It is part of Idaho Alternative Energy Week at the Idaho Discovery Center.

The Biodiesel Utilization and Production Workshop is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agricultures biodiesel education program and the Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department at the University of Idaho, along with the Pacific Northwest Bioenergy Peer Exchange, the Idaho State Energy Division of the Department of Water Resources, and the National Institute for Advanced Transportation Technology (NIATT) center at the UI.

Topics included:

  • Why biodiesel?
  • School bus experiences
  • Biodiesel fuel qualities and other operating issues
  • Biodiesel supply availability
  • Potential for biodiesel in the Pacific Northwest
  • Diesel engines and diesel fuels
  • Basic biodiesel chemistry and recipes
  • Biodiesel fuel quality requirements, and
  • Resources for establishing a biodiesel business

As part of the workshop, the Breathable Bus Coalition explained some of the health risks to children riding diesel powered school busses and its efforts to introduce biodiesel to the Seattle school district fleets as a healthier and more economical solution.

Participants learned about biodiesel production, availability and usage from leading experts and users nationwide. Barriers to biodiesel usage in other transportation fleets also will be discussed.

University of Idaho alternative energy research vehicles were among the exhibits and displays at the workshop.

In addition, a student team from the UI chemical engineering department will demonstrate a shoebox-sized car that uses hydrogen fuel cells as a power source.

The award-winning Chem-E-Car, built by members in the AIChE student club and advised by David Drown, has been featured in national and regional competitions and earned awards at the UI Engineering Design Expo.