Alpha Biofuels powers F1 generators with biodiesel from Singapore’s used cooking oil
Alpha Biofuels – Singapore’s pioneering producer of biodiesel from Used Cooking Oil (UCO) – is once again involved in powering up generators for the F1 event. Six generators located on the Padang, in front of the National Gallery, will provide an estimated 20,000 l of B100 – 100% biodiesel from UCO – to fuel up the many food kiosks on site, as well as energise the equipment on stage for the many entertainment acts performing on Friday, Saturday and Sunday during F1.
Jack Ling, Chief Operating Officer at Alpha Biofuels said that the firm will continue to collect UCO from 20 plus “pop up” F&B kiosks throughout the entire F1 circuit during this year’s event.
“We understand this is the only race in the world where biodiesel running the event’s generators is refined from UCO generated by the F1’s food stalls.”
He points out that the B100 made from locally sourced UCO is five times less emissions-intensive than diesel derived from fossil fuels. It has a life cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emission rating of 14.9, compared to “normal diesel” which is 89.
“International studies show that biodiesel produced from UCO or other waste fat could reduce CO2 emissions by as much as 85% and we believe we are able to achieve that in Singapore,” Ling explained.”
In 2022, home-grown Alpha Biofuels was contracted to provide clean and green biodiesel for just for one of the 136 diesel generators required to power up F1 facilities and services, as one of the Sustainability Initiatives being introduced for the first time by Singapore GP and Singapore Tourism Board.
Singaporean founder/CEO of Alpha Biofuels, Allan Lim says his company, which has operated since 2004, has scaled up to be able to provide much more of the clean energy needed for the power-hungry event.
Early this year, as part of the drive towards a more Circular Economy, Alpha Biofuels completed a series of trials with two logistics companies to successfully move large quantities of luxury goods to and from warehouses and Changi Airport.
Neo Beng Lin, Managing Director at RichLand Logistics, with a transport fleet of more than 400 trucks and trailers, reported that his vehicles loaded with freight performed very well using Alpha’s biodiesel when compared with the use of diesel coming from fossil fuels.
Neo also said that as RichLand is committed to minimise its CO2 emissions, using a cleaner, greener certified biofuel on a regular basis will make a big difference.
Bollore Logistics – also involved in the Alpha Biodiesel test runs in Singapore – says it is committed globally to offer innovative and connected low-carbon products and services.
Lim says he is pleased to see that the logistics industry – along with the events and maritime sectors – is making a move to low carbon energy, as it’s possible to achieve a 50% reduction in CO2 emissions from the land transport component alone.
He further explained that the default GHG (Greenhouse Gas) value for Used Cooking Oil Methyl Ester (UCOMe) – which Alpha produces – is 14.9G co2eq / MJ compared to 89G co2eq / MJ for fossil fuel sourced diesel. This is in accordance with the European Union standard REDII.
Alpha Biofuels has also achieved what it says is “the highest possible global verified standard for genuine green fuel” issued by International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC), after a third-party audit by Bureau Veritas.
