Changi Airport using renewable diesel made from used cooking oil

Changi Airport's Renewable Diesel Trial

Key Concepts: Renewable diesel, used cooking oil (UCO), net-zero emissions, drop-in fuel, fossil diesel, heavy vehicles, F&B outlets, Changi Airport Group (CAG), performance testing, sustainability.

Renewable Diesel Trial Overview

Changi Airport Group (CAG) is conducting a six-month trial using renewable diesel in over 10% of its diesel-powered heavy vehicles. This renewable diesel is produced from waste materials, including used cooking oil (UCO) collected from the airport's food and beverage (F&B) outlets. The trial aims to assess the performance and efficiency of renewable diesel as a sustainable alternative to fossil diesel.

Source and Production of Renewable Diesel

• Source: Used cooking oil is collected from participating F&B outlets across all four terminals of Changi Airport.
• Quantity: The airport collects more than 11 tons of used cooking oil monthly.
• Production Process: The used cooking oil is blended with other waste materials, such as animal fats, to produce renewable diesel. This process takes place at Neste Singapore's refinery.
• Testing: On-site testing is conducted to verify the contents and quality of the renewable diesel.

Trial Objectives and Phases

The trial is structured in phases to gradually increase the adoption of renewable diesel:

• Phase 1 (Completed): Use of a 50% blend of renewable diesel for key performance (KP) and specialized vehicles.
• Phase 2 (Ongoing): Trialing the use of 100% renewable diesel for all vehicles involved in the trial.
• Goal: If the trial proves successful, CAG aims to expand the use of renewable diesel across its vehicle fleet.

Performance and Environmental Benefits

• Performance: Renewable diesel performs as well as fossil diesel in existing engines. In some cases, engine performance is reported to be better.
• Environmental Impact: Renewable diesel is considered better for the environment compared to fossil diesel.
• Drop-in Fuel: Renewable diesel is a "drop-in fuel," meaning it can be used in existing engines and infrastructure without requiring modifications.

Economic Considerations

• Cost: Renewable diesel can cost up to twice as much as traditional fossil diesel.
• Justification: CAG and Neste consider the environmental benefits to outweigh the higher cost.

Existing Sustainability Initiatives

• Electric Vehicles: Some vehicles, such as those used for transporting luggage at the airside, are already fully powered by electricity.
• Limitations: Not all vehicles can be easily converted to electric power, particularly heavy vehicles and specialized equipment used for runway maintenance.

Future Plans

• Expansion: Depending on the trial outcomes, CAG plans to expand the use of renewable diesel to more vehicles.
• Backup Generators: Old backup generators in the airport will also transition to cleaner fuels.

Notable Quotes

• "It's a drop in feel so what that means, it can be used in a existing engine in existing infrastructure without any changes." - Speaker from Neste, highlighting the ease of adoption of renewable diesel.

Technical Terms

• Renewable Diesel: A diesel fuel produced from renewable sources, such as used cooking oil and animal fats.
• Fossil Diesel: Diesel fuel derived from crude oil.
• Net-Zero Emissions: Achieving a balance between emissions produced and emissions taken out of the atmosphere.
• Drop-in Fuel: A fuel that can be used in existing engines and infrastructure without requiring modifications.

Synthesis/Conclusion

Changi Airport's renewable diesel trial demonstrates a commitment to sustainability and reducing carbon emissions. By utilizing waste materials like used cooking oil, CAG aims to transition its heavy vehicle fleet to a cleaner energy source. The success of the trial could pave the way for wider adoption of renewable diesel within the airport and potentially in other industries, contributing to Singapore's goal of cleaner energy for all vehicles by 2040. The "drop-in" nature of renewable diesel makes it a practical and readily implementable solution for reducing reliance on fossil fuels.