In November 2022, the Dutch Emissions Authority (NEa) carried out inspections at several AGP license holders for the biofuels FAME and HVO. The aim was to determine whether the stored fuels are really biofuels. The analyzes of the samples taken have been completed. This shows that biofuel was found at all checked FAME and HVO storage locations.
Result
Pure fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) and pure hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO) are biofuels because they are made from animal fats, vegetable oils or waste such as used frying fat. The C14 analysis of the HVO and FAME samples shows that biofuels were found at the controlled storage locations. And this means that these biofuels are forms of renewable energy.
The biogenic carbon percentage of HVO has been set at 100% in all cases. The result for FAME was about 95%. Because fossil methanol is always used in the production of FAME, 95% biogenic carbon is the highest achievable result for this fuel. This result meets the requirements for this biofuel.
What did this check look like?
The inspectors checked 10 AGP permit holders. These are the companies that own the fuel. A total of 16 storage locations of these companies were visited.
At these locations, inspectors took a total of 32 samples, 15 FAME and 17 HVO. The collected samples were then analyzed using the C14 method in various laboratories.
The Customs Laboratory carried out the analysis of the HVO samples using the LSC method. The AMS method is required for the analysis of the FAME samples to determine whether it concerns biofuel. This was carried out by Beta Analytic in Miami (USA).
Why this control
The NEa is responsible for the supervision of biofuels. FAME and HVO are both used as diesel substitutes. This makes these fuels two important forms of renewable energy.
For example, data from the Energy for Transport Register (REV) shows that FAME is the most frequently registered biofuel. Suppliers can enter their volumes of FAME and HVO in the register for the annual obligation to generate more renewable fuel units (HBEs). These HBEs can also be sold to other parties.
That is why it is important to physically check whether fuels can be classified as biofuels, in addition to checking the data that companies provide in the register. These checks remain part of the NEa's supervision. In addition, the NEa is investigating the expansion of risk-based physical controls.
Source: emissionsauthority.nl
