Biodiesel – 1 December 2005

Topia Energy Production Ltd. is currently one of Canada’s leaders in the biodiesel industry. In September 2005, Topia opened the first planned nationwide chain of "alternative" fuel stations called GreenStop. GreenStop pumps only renewable fuel blends which are traditional diesel spiked with cooking oil, and gasoline mixed with corn ethanol. The first GreenStop station, in Ottawa, is itself "green," constructed from renewable materials such as compressed strawboard and chemical-free linoleum. There are green electric power companies and green food chains. GreenStop has provided three fuels. First is B20, which combines 20 percent biodiesel with 80 percent regular diesel. Second is E10, which are 10 percent ethanol and 90 percent traditional gasoline. It can be burned by standard engines. Last is 85 percent ethanol use in "flexible fuel" vehicles only. Gas made from such seemingly low proportions of renewable resources might not solve the world's developing energy crisis. Imagine if the world just have 10 percent more gas and 20 percent more diesel. So it is important to renew or reuse the natural and limited sources. Topia plans to open 15 GreenStop stations across Canada and the northeast United States within the next year and to reach 50 locations by the end of 2007. It is another sign that there may soon be more than one kind of "green" in green energy.