Biofuels

This study by CRL provides a life cycle assessment of one of the more attractive biofuel options for New Zealand, namely biodiesel derived from domestically produced tallow.
This life cycle assessment involved a primary energy and greenhouse gas emissions inventory of the production of tallow-derived biodiesel in New Zealand, from the farmer's paddock to the
exit gate of the biodiesel plant. The results of this analysis found tallow-derived biodiesel to have a primary energy input/output of 0.50. This compares to an energy input/output of 1.19 for

Christchurch specialty meats producer Verkerks is paying for a lot less energy after taking a fresh look at how it generates heat and processes waste.

By converting the boiler to burn tallow, a meat processing byproduct, Verkerks will likely cut their energy costs by $150,000 a year.

The boiler at the company's processing plant produces steam for heating the smoke houses and fermenting rooms, and water heating.

Until recently the boiler operated only on diesel, consuming around 7,000 litres - and thousands of dollars - every week.

The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) engaged Sinclair Knight Merz Limited
(SKM) to review a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of rapeseed biodiesel undertaken by CRL Energy
Limited (CRL) for Solid Energy New Zealand Limited.

This study, commissioned by EECA, provides a life cycle assessment of one of the
more attractive biofuel options for New Zealand, namely biodiesel derived from domestically
produced tallow.
This life cycle assessment involved a primary energy and greenhouse gas emissions inventory
of the production of tallow-derived biodiesel in New Zealand, from the farmer's paddock to the
exit gate of the biodiesel plant. The results of this analysis found tallow-derived biodiesel to