Leading the Way: University Boasts Biofuels Pioneers

Penn State’s role in helping the country transition to green energy involves more than just research. The university is setting an example for business and industry to follow. A team led by Glen Cauffman, manager of farms and facilities in the College of Agricultural Sciences, was recently honored by PennFuture for converting the college’s farm equipment to biodiesel fuel made from soybean oil. Other team members were Lysa Holland, environmental compliance engineer for the university, and Joe Perez and Wally Lloyd, emeritus faculty members in chemical engineering. The four were named “Biofuels Pioneers” by the environmental group. The honor stems from an effort that began in 2002, when Penn State began an aggressive program to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions and excessive reliance on imported oil. Despite the thenpremium price and scarce availability of biodiesel fuel, the college’s Farm Operations and Services Department began using biodiesel in its 40-plus tractors, trucks, and utility vehicles. Led by Cauffman, Holland, Perez, and Lloyd, the college decided to stretch the envelope of this renewable fuel. At that time, original equipment and engine manufacturers were not endorsing biodiesel blends greater than B5 (5 percent biodiesel) and threatening to void equipment warranties if that mixture was exceeded. But if Penn State Cooperative Extension was going to promote the use of higher rates of biodiesel, college experts knew that they had to offer information based on experience. So Farm Operations began buying 100 percent biodiesel (B100) and splash-blending it with petroleum-based diesel fuel at the University Park campus to achieve a blend of B20 (20 percent biodiesel). Following the College of Agricultural Sciences’ lead, the university this year converted all of its diesel equipment to B20 biodiesel blend.

Now Cauffman and his staff are stretching the envelope even further. In collaboration with Case New Holland, a machinery manufacturer, the college is operating two new tractors for a year on B100 biodiesel. The experiment will reveal what owners of diesels can expect to experience when they choose to be independent of petroleum. Penn State Cooperative Extension will disseminate that information. Cauffman believes the move toward “green fuel” is important, for both symbolic and practical reasons. “We want folks to know the university is leading the way in greening up Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry,” he says. “This is the right thing to do for our state’s soybean growers, our environment, and our country’s independence from foreign oil.” Because biodiesel is made in the United States, it keeps fuel-buying dollars at home, and it is environmentally friendly. When burned in engines, biodiesel produces fewer emissions and smells like French fries. Studies indicate that adding vegetable oil to a fuel mixture extends engine life and makes engines run smoother. “If more businesses, farmers, and heating oil customers used biodiesel, it would improve air quality, reduce oil imports, and give Pennsylvania’s soybean growers more outlets to sell their product,” Cauffman says. “Now all university equipment uses biodiesel, and we expect other businesses in Pennsylvania to make the conversion after Penn State demonstrates the viability.”

—Jeff Mulhollem