As is
mandated in the Virginia Energy Plan, researchers at Old Dominion University, Virginia
Institute of Marine Science, Hampton University and James Madison University
are exploring fuel production from biomass sources. Old Dominion University has
taken a leading role in the biodiesel studies. Biodiesel fuel is much
like the diesel fuel derived from petroleum, but this renewable fuel is
produced from oily biomass such as soybeans, as well as from waste oils.
Studies have shown that algae have significantly more oil
content than soybeans and are a promising biomass source for biodiesel.
Biodiesel fuel also can be produced from used cooking oil from restaurants. ODU engineers have built a small reactor to investigate whether the production of biodiesel fuel from the used oil is environmentally sound and economically viable. Read more...