Renewable diesel is a biomass-based, sustainable alternative to petroleum diesel produced from a diverse group of feedstocks through a process known as hydrotreating. Renewable diesel currently meets ASTM D975, the specification for petroleum diesel, and is approved for blending with biodiesel and petroleum diesel at any percentage.
Feedstocks
- Renewable diesel is commonly produced from animal fats, distillers corn oil, and used cooking oil due to their low carbon intensity scores.
Production
- Five plants with a combined capacity of more than 400 million gallons per year currently produce renewable diesel in the United States. Production is expected to grow in the coming years due to expansions at existing plants and the construction of new plants.
- The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) does not currently report renewable diesel production; however, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports RFS RIN data, which indicates that the United States consumed over 900 million gallons in 2019. Nearly all domestically produced and imported renewable diesel is used in California due to economic benefits under the Low Carbon Fuel Standard.
Benefits
- Renewable diesel significantly reduces tailpipe emissions and lifecycle carbon emissions compared to petroleum diesel.
- Renewable diesel is a drop-in replacement for petroleum diesel fuel that requires zero modifications for year-round operation in existing diesel engines.
- All major OEMs approve the use of 100% renewable diesel.
- Renewable diesel can be blended with petroleum diesel and biodiesel diesel at any blend level.
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Indigenous Energy is a renewable fuels and energy consulting firm that partners with stakeholders to promote and advance the use of biodiesel and other sustainable alternative fuels, energies, and technologies.