>Recent Webinar - Using Biodiesel: Good in Theory. Good in Practice?  Looking Beyond the Policy and Politics

Courtsey of dieseforum.org

Biodiesel usage has grown exponentially in the last several years, due to a combination of financial incentives, dynamics in petroleum markets, and the institution of state and local mandates. Stories of both overwhelming success and endless frustration abound, leaving policymakers and consumers looking for additional insights and perspective. This webinar, the first in a multi-part series on using biodiesel, takes a look at biodiesel availability, quality and impact on vehicle performance in order to help drivers and policymakers make informed decisions about the risks and benefits of expanded biodiesel use. Subsequent webinars in early 2010 will provide a more in-depth look at vehicle performance issues and considerations for developing mandates and other biodiesel policies.

Heavy-Duty Diesel Engine Emissions Research Webinar

New research about the emissions performance of 2007 generation heavy-duty diesel engines has been released and the Diesel Technology Forum hosted a webinar on September 9 that featured presentations by Health Effects Institute (HEI), Coordinating Research Council (CRC) and the principle researcher at Southwest Research Institute (SWRi) who reviewed the Phase I results and the next phases of research.  The new research findings were released by the HEI and CRC and Phase I of the study, known as the Advanced Collaborative Emissions Study (ACES) was done at SWRi under the supervision of the CRC and conducted detailed chemical characterization of exhaust species emitted from four 2007 model-year heavy-duty diesel engines.

ACES is a multi-party five year study to test the emissions and health effects of new technology diesel engines to document the improvements that have been made and to ensure there are no unintended emissions from this new technology. The initiative is sponsored by a wide range of government and private sponsors including EPA, California Air Resources Board, Engine Manufacturers Association, American Petroleum Institute, Manufacturers of Emission Controls Association and other organizations.