HVO, or hydro-generated vegetable oil, is a type of biodiesel that works as an alternative fuel. Through a process called hydro-generation, this is extracted  from  animal fats, and renewable vegetable oil. Without making any changes, this can also be utilised in various diesel engines.

When compared to fossil fuels, HVO fuel produces less greenhouse gas, sulphur, or nitrogen oxide. It conserves air quality, which reduces  its detrimental effects on the environment.

In this blog post, we will discuss the benefits of HVO Heating oil and how it is important for a sustainable future. 

HVO Heating Oil: An Overview

Green diesel, renewable diesel, and hydro-treated vegetable oil are other names for HVO. This particular kind of biodiesel is made by a procedure called hydro-treating. The procedure turns animal fats and vegetable oils into pure and high levels of  diesel fuel. 

Applications for HVO: In a variety of applications, including transportation, industrial heating, and stationary power generation, HVO fuel can be utilised as a significant substitute for various fossil fuels. This can also be mixed with fossil fuel in any kind  of manufacturing process. Depending on the local laws and the engine's capabilities, it may be used in the pure form of heating oil in some situations. 

Adoption of the market: The fuel oil coined as HVO has got significant attention in various regions where there can be  the issue of the carbon footprint. The demand for HVO heating oil is spreading globally and many countries are working with HVO to reduce CO2 emissions. 

Challenges: Even though the HVO has advantages for the environment, its manufacturing and applications still face obstacles from various shifting land uses, limited feed-stock supplies, and competition from the other industries.

Why Choose the HVO Fuel?

There are various advantages of HVO heating oil use. They adjust with the goals of reducing carbon emissions and carrying the levels of improvement in the quality of air.

 Compatibility: Without requiring any changes to the current generation of diesel engines, HVO fuel can be utilised in place of fossil fuel. It increases the  efficiency of  fuel and guarantees that the engine will perform at a high level.

Clean emissions: Sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide are among the minimal levels of emissions produced by the HVO.

Energy security: By  adding different kinds of alternative sources of  renewable energy  like HVO fuel , in  their fuel mix, many regions and countries  can upkeep  their energy efficiency.

Government support: A large number of governments encourage the use of HVO by providing incentives and subsidies.  

Why do Sustainable Fuels Matter?

Sustainable fuels, such as hydrogen-based fuels, offer significant advantages in mitigating climate change, improving air quality, conserving resources, and ensuring energy security as an alternative fuel.

Climate change mitigation: Using sustainable fuel oil helps to  cut down on greenhouse gas emissions, which are the main cause of climate change. Their  process of reducing CO2 emissions is considerable.

Improvement in Air Quality: Less pollution is produced by sustainable fuel oil than by fossil fuels at the traditional level, which releases pollutants like nitrogen oxide. 

Resource conservation: Sustainable fuels are produced from organic waste, biomass, sunlight, and wind. They decrease the dependency on different non-renewable sources and encourage the conservation of resources. 

Global sustainable protection: Sustainable  fuel oil plays a very important role in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals or SDGs. They have the aim of getting clean and low-priced energy. They also have the aim of providing sustainability to various communities and cities as an alternative fuel.   

Comparison of HVO Fuel and Biodiesel

Both bio-diesel and HVO fuel function as renewable substitutes for different types of conventional diesel and have minimal environmental impact due to their low emissions. Nonetheless, they can be contrasted based on the feed-stock, manufacturing method, and emission profiles in fuel oil. 

Feed-stock 

 HVO fuel is made from a variety of renewable feed-stocks, including animal fats and vegetable oils like soybean and palm oil. On the other hand, biodiesel is produced by a different kind of chemical process.

Process of production 

The process of hydro-tracking and hydro-treating yields HVO heating oil. This procedure involves hydrogenating the lipids found in vegetable oils. However, a chemical procedure known as trans-esterification is used to create biodiesel.

Fuel characteristics 

HVO fuels have exceptional levels of cold flow characteristics and attributes that are comparable to various fossil fuels. Nevertheless, because of its high viscosity, bio-diesel requires specific engine modifications to be used. 

HVO vs Natural Gas and Heating Oil

Vegetable oils and animal fats are examples of renewable feed-stock that contains HVO. It functions as a sustainable substitute for heating oil and natural gas. The HVO emits less greenhouse gas than natural gas, which mostly comprises methane and may have negative effects on the environment due to its  methane leaks.

Furthermore, HVO offers a smooth integration into the current system. The existing diesel infrastructure can be used to move and store them. HVO poses less harm to the surrounding area's air quality and to people and animals' health than heating oil does. The alternative fuel HVO has a renewable nature that has the alignment with the efforts of the mitigation of climate change. 

Role of HVO in Power Generation

HVO plays a vital role in power generation and it works as a sustainable option of fuel. It has fuel flexibility, a low level of emissions and an effective  renewable source of energy. 

Off-Grid or Remote Power Generation: This fuel oil can be particularly used for generating electricity for remote areas. 

Fuel flexibility: For a variety of power plants and diesel generators, this alternative fuel can be utilised in place of conventional diesel.

Low emissions: When compared to traditional diesel, HVO emits fewer emissions.

Renewable energy source: The Hydrogenated vegetable oil  or HVO is derived from sustainable feed-stock and contributes to fuel mix diversification in alternative fuel. 

Performance and compatibility: The HVO provides an exceptional degree of compatibility with the current diesel engine and power generating equipment requirements.

Back system of power: For various critical facilities like energy services, data centres, and hospitals HVO can be used as a generator of diesel to provide the more environmentally-friendly generation of power. 

The Benefits of HVO Fuel

The decrease in carbon emissions and environmental sustainability are additional benefits of using heating oil coined as HVO. They also contribute to energy versatility and security. 

Environmental Benefits: This alternative fuel reduces environmental footprints and pollutant emissions. These  are  the main benefits of using HVO heating oil. 

Operational Benefits: HVO is simple to use for many organisations because it is compatible with current diesel engines and infrastructure. This serves as a trustworthy resource for mitigating a range of unfavourable climatic situations as an alternative fuel.

Economic Impacts: Long-term savings and upkeep are provided by HVO fuel. They also provide benefits that align with the perspective of green programmes and government incentives. Because of this, HVO heating oil is now a financially sensible choice. 

Social Responsibility: Using HVO shows a company's strong commitment to many sustainable practices and enhances its corporate social responsibility or CSR strategy.  

What Are the Future Needs of HVO Fuel?

In the future, HVO fuel oil is needed to address various environmental needs and become a complete potential low-emission alternative and work for sustainable energy production. There is a need to implement various strategic planning for the use of the HVO fuel in the future. 

More availability in the market: Currently HVO fuel has limited availability in the market. There is a need to increase the availability of HVO heating oil. 

Reducing negative impact: Even when we use fuel with a low carbon footprint, switching to a new energy source may have some unfavourable environmental consequences. The making of HVO fuel has to cheque that it is not becoming the reason for deforestation or any other kind of negative impact on the surrounding. 

Reducing the price: The HVO fuel oil is currently having a high level of price in the market. The price depends on the supply and this sometimes comes at a higher price than traditional diesel fuel. The price of HVO fuel should be low and it should have enough supply in the market. 

Regulatory Compliance

As per the latest updates of the year 2022, the government of the UK had been prepared with various plans and policies related to sustainable fuels like HVO heating oil. This has been considered as the renewable diesel alternative that has been taken from the vegetable oils and sources of biomass. The various policies related to this alternative fuel are Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation or RTFO, Duty rates of bio-fuel and  carbon intensity standards. They also get regulatory support from the government for implementing new technology.

FAQs

•  How much time does HVO gasoline last?

HVO fuel can be stored for nearly ten years. 

•  Is it possible to utilise HVO fuel for home heating?

Due to the chemical properties of HVO fuel that is similar to diesel fuel, it can be used for home heating.  

•  What is the HVO fuel's freezing point?

HVO has a substantially lower level of freezing  point of -40°C than diesel which is -8°C.

•  Just how effective is HVO?

HVO works for improved engine performance and less emissions of CO2 footprints .

Conclusion

As an alternative fuel, hydrogen fuel  or HVO might be considered a viable solution for reducing carbon emissions and improving energy security. This helps to be sure that the various  industries have a sustainable future with this heating oil. It offers a number of benefits, including reduced emissions and increased fuel compatibility and versatility.

People should work toward the advancement of technology, the sustainability of livestock, and the progressive support of HVO-related legislation, since the HVO fuel oil is necessary to meet future requirements. The HVO can promote a future where energy use is sustainable if all policies are adhered to.