US students' workshop on Maltese biodiesel use

The implementation of a mid/long-term strategy to promote the use and the resulting effects of biodiesel substance in Malta was the topic of a workshop conducted in Malta by three students from James Madison University in Virginia, USA.

This one-month workshop has been made possible thanks to a close collaboration with the EORC Group and Professor Alex Felice from the University of Malta currently engaged in the promotion of the use of biodiesel as an alternative sustainable source of energy. The three students, Corinne Melbille, Megane Gemma and Chelsea Jenkins, together with their project leader Dr Amy Townsend, will in fact present their conclusions during a public presentation at the Foundation for International Studies in Valletta on Friday at 4 p.m.

"Our project entailed first of all the creation of a generic energy profile of the Maltese Islands tackling a number of key areas namely environment and health related aspects and car emissions which represents Malta's greatest polluting source," explained Jenkins. "With a wealth of restaurants to feed both its tourists and residents, Malta has an overabundance of waste oil, most of which ends up at the landfill or in the Mediterranean Sea. This waste oil, if properly collected and managed, could alleviate some of the resulting problems namely poor air quality from vehicle emissions that results in asthma and other respiratory problems and negative effects on local flora and fauna."

Edible Oil Refining Co Ltd is in fact Malta's only commercial producer of biodiesel that has to import waste oil to meet its demand for biodiesel fuel. Edible Oil's commitment towards promoting this alternative source of energy requires 3,600 tonnes of waste oil of which only 500 tonnes are being collected.

"It's a matter of educating the public," commented Dr Townsend. "The students' project will seek to develop three final products. namely a biodiesel implementation plan, biodiesel maps and a biodiesel curriculum. The implementation plan will identify ways of enhancing biodiesel production, distribution and encouraging the use of biodiesel among the residents, government and businesses namely restaurants and hotels in Malta. Upon completion, this implementation plan will be submitted to the Maltese Government.

"The biodiesel availability maps will detail the current and potential availability of biodiesel, research needs regarding the potential for further biodiesel development and where this biodiesel might be made available for public consumption. Finally, an educational biodiesel curriculum will be drafted in a way that can be taught as a one-day workshop or broken down into segments to be taught within schools."

Speaking about EORC's collaboration with the students on an academic level, Pippo Psaila, commercial director at EORC Group, said: "We are delighted to have hosted this group of students to conduct a practical workshop at our plant. Indeed, their project, albeit part of their curricular requirements, is in line with EORC Group's ongoing efforts to promote the production and domestic use of biodiesel in Malta. In fact, the students workshop focused on three distinct topics including the environmental and human health impacts of petroleum-based products and the benefits associated with using biodiesel and the technical and socio-political opportunities and constraints for further developing biodiesel use in Malta."

"The students are taking this project with a professional attitude and we are now looking forward to their final presentation on June 11," Mr Psaila concluded.