Driving Sustainable Innovation with ARK
At Agro Resilience Kit (ARK), we empower entrepreneurs, organizations, and communities to build sustainable energy solutions that reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Specializing in biogas, biofuels, and controlled environment agriculture, we help businesses, municipalities, and community-driven initiatives implement practical and scalable energy strategies.
Whether you’re exploring biodiesel production, transitioning to renewable diesel, or integrating biogas energy systems, ARK provides customized solutions to support your goals.
Why Diesel Engines Remain Essential
Diesel engines remain the most thermally efficient internal combustion engines, converting 40% of fuel energy into propulsion work—nearly double the efficiency of gasoline engines. With heat recovery, diesel engines can achieve 80%+ efficiency, making them a key player in renewable fuel adoption.
Despite these advantages, government policies prioritized electric vehicle (EV) adoption, backed by $43.6 billion in government incentives for EV battery plants in Canada. Regardless, diesel engines continue to play a vital role in energy resilience, particularly in biofuel integration.
Understanding the Difference: Biodiesel vs. Renewable Diesel
Production Processes
While biodiesel and renewable diesel both originate from plant- or animal-based feedstocks, their production methods differ:
- Biodiesel is produced via transesterification, a simpler process that retains some oxygen, requiring blending (B5 to B20).
- Renewable diesel undergoes hydrogenation, removing oxygen and creating a drop-in replacement for petroleum diesel (Brown, 2020). It is 25% more costly to produce.
Key Compatibility Differences
Older diesel engines ran on B100 biodiesel with no issues, provided the fuel was kept at high temperatures. However, modern diesel engines with electronic sensors require blends, making pure biodiesel less accessible.
Market Dynamics
Oil Refiners & Vehicle Manufacturers: Who Wants What?
The shift toward renewable fuels is driven by:
- Government mandates (B5, B10 blends): Introducing new players into the market.
- Revenue loss for refiners: A B5 mandate reduces traditional diesel sales by 5%, impacting oil company profits.
- OEM warranty concerns: Engine manufacturers hesitate to expand warranties on alternative fuel mixes.
- Small biodiesel producers add complexity: Large supply chains resist the fragmentation of the market.
The Reality of Refinery Conversions
Despite industry claims about large-scale refinery conversions to biofuels, the real potential is limited by feedstock availability. Many companies overstate feasibility, leading to greenwashing that distracts from scalable solutions.
“The realistic potential for biofuel conversions is quite small because of the limited availability of suitable feedstocks.” — Union of Concerned Scientists
Feedstock Efficiency & Production Costs
Biodiesel (Soybean-Based) Yields
Biodiesel is highly efficient, producing 3.2 units of fuel energy per unit of fossil fuel input.
- 1 bushel of soybeans (60 lbs.) = 1 gallon of B100 biodiesel + 44 lbs. of soybean meal (byproduct for animal feed).
- Typical yield (50 bushels per acre) = 60–75 gallons of biodiesel + 1.1 tons of soybean meal per acre.
Renewable Diesel Feedstock Requirements
- 8 lbs. of feedstock = 1 gallon of renewable diesel (vs. 1 lb. per gallon for biodiesel) (Xu et al., 2022).
- Higher refining complexity results in greater costs.
Conclusion: Biodiesel is a more efficient use of feedstock while also producing valuable agricultural byproducts.
For a deeper comparison of biodiesel and renewable diesel efficiency, see FarmDoc Daily’s analysis.
Discover how ARK helps businesses and communities integrate biofuels and biogas for sustainable energy
Cost, Performance & Real-World Use Cases
Price & Energy Content
- Renewable diesel is more expensive due to higher refining costs and feedstock requirements.
- Renewable diesel has 4% less energy per gallon than petroleum diesel but performs better than biodiesel in cold temperatures.
Titan Freight Systems: R99 Case Study
After 1 million miles using R99 renewable diesel, Titan Freight Systems reported:
✅ 66% lower lifecycle emissions (1,217 tons of carbon saved).
✅ No change in fuel economy.
✅ $0.021 per mile in savings, including:
- Lower maintenance costs (fewer exhaust system replacements).
- 75% lower oil costs.
If all Class 8 trucks used renewable diesel, this would equate to $5.15 billion in annual savings across the industry.
Read the full case study here: Titan Freight Systems & Alternative Fuels.
Biodiesel remains the most cost-effective alternative for businesses seeking sustainability and affordability.
Engine Compatibility & Performance Considerations
Modern Diesel Engines & Biodiesel Use
- Post-1990s diesel engines with electronic fuel injection require blended biodiesel (B5–B20) to maintain performance.
- Biodiesel’s natural solvent properties help clean engine deposits and maintain combustion efficiency.
What Do OEMs Say?
According to Cummins Inc.:
“B20 will not harm your engine. The concern is emissions system performance.” — Clean Fuels OEM Support
Final Takeaways: Biodiesel vs. Renewable Diesel
🔹 Biodiesel is the most cost-effective, feedstock-efficient choice.
🔹 Renewable diesel is a drop-in fuel but costs 25% more to produce.
🔹 OEMs allow B20+ blends, but modern sensors limit beyond 20% biodiesel blend use.
🔹 Refinery conversions to biofuels are limited—greenwashing claims overstate their potential.
How Agro Resilience Kit (ARK) Supports Businesses & Communities
At ARK we don’t just work with large-scale energy projects—we also support communities, entrepreneurs, and organizations in implementing sustainable biofuel solutions that are both practical and scalable. Whether you’re looking to start biodiesel production, transition your fleet, or integrate biogas into your energy mix, we offer tailored strategies for businesses and community-driven projects alike.
🚀 Discover how Alberta based ARK can help you create a resilient, sustainable energy future:Explore solutions