Written on: September 30, 2022
Propane is already environmentally beneficial since it burns cleanly with negligible greenhouse gas emissions. The advent of renewable propane gas, however, takes the propane industry’s effort to become more sustainable a big step further.
While it is not in common use yet, renewable propane gas has positioned itself to be a major part of the clean fuel conversation in the years ahead. The 200,000 tons of American renewable propane currently made is only 0.1 percent of total propane production. There’s tremendous potential for growth as more resources are dedicated to renewable propane production.
Just as conventional propane is a coproduct of crude oil and natural gas extraction, most renewable propane can be considered a coproduct of biofuel creation. Many of the same feedstocks that go into creating biofuel — animal oils, vegetable oils, biomass — are used to create renewable propane.
This method of producing propane is as safe, cost-effective, and dependable as that for propane generated from natural gas. And when compared to electricity, renewable propane has a considerably smaller carbon footprint. It can also reduce our reliance on aging, poorly maintained, fragile electric utility infrastructures.
Conventional propane and renewable propane are molecularly identical. They can coexist in the same equipment without modification. And all the efficiency of conventional propane is present in renewable propane. It’s more than 90% efficient in modern heating equipment and produces 43% fewer emissions than an equivalent amount of grid-produced electricity.
Production of renewable propane diverts used cooking oil and meat fats from languishing in landfills. In 2018, in conjunction with biofuel production, renewable propane production used the following as feedstocks:
That’s a lot of waste being put to good use!
Homes and businesses all over the U.S. will eventually be able to easily use renewable propane. Since it is molecularly identical to propane, there will be no need to replace or alter existing propane appliances and equipment. As the usage of renewable propane increases, it will reduce our greenhouse gas emissions nationwide, helping fight the devastating effects of climate change.
Renewable propane can also be blended with propane and utilized in existing propane-powered equipment and vehicles, as well as cars powered by propane autogas. This will reduce air pollution and diesel particulate matter substantially. Cleaner burning renewable propane can also help engines and equipment to run more effectively, resulting in longer life with less upkeep and fewer repairs.
Businesses may benefit from tax credits at both the federal and state levels.
Renewable propane gas will allow propane providers in Maine a greater opportunity to be involved in residential, commercial and government projects that require energy sources to be zero-carbon or as close as possible when it comes to emissions, meaning more opportunities and income for locally-owned businesses.
Ultimately, renewable propane can be a part of making the quality of life better here and elsewhere, with reduced emissions, a cleaner environment and forward-thinking applications that will pave the path to ultra-modern development.
Read more about renewable propane gas.