The Biodiesel and Ethanol Scenario in Korea

decrease font size

increase font size

change type face

bookmark this page

email this page

print this page

TheBioenergySite Latest News

Tuesday, June 03, 2008

Print This Page

The Biodiesel and Ethanol Scenario in Korea

SOUTH KOREA - Korea is known to be one of the major importers of oil, besides its other forms of energy, and the government has been nothing but industrious in its endeavor to expand energy supplies.

According to The Korea Times, while the energy supplies must be imported, roughly 1-2 percent of the diesel fuel supplies exist here in Korea and are being completely ignored. Similarly, a small quantity (2 percent) of the gasoline supply could be supplied by existing sources in Korea.

Koreans often pride themselves on being efficient and resourceful. Here is a huge opportunity ― renewable fuels, mainly biodiesel and ethanol. In the North America, straight vegetable oil (SVO) or waste vegetable oil is recycled into biodiesel.

The Korean government set a quota of 5 percent biodiesel use by 2010. Well, here is 1-2 percent that is being completely wasted. In England, McDonald's recycles its own SVO to power its vehicles. Not here.

The second fuel source readily available in Korea is waste alcoholic beverages. Koreans are the third heaviest drinkers in the world (no reference).

In the West, in the bars and restaurants, when the drinkers have their glasses taken away, the small amount of beer or wine remaining is recycled to produce ethanol. The cost is about 25 cents a liter. The process is not complicated, as the ethanol already exists in the liquid. One company (www.efuel100.com) is selling recycling units. I am in no way linked to the company.

View the Korea Times story by clicking here.

TheBioenergySite News Desk