Jatropha Curcas plants are set to become the forerunner species for
the production of biodiesel and bio fuel. The price of fossil fuel has
skyrocketed and we now live in a world determined to obtain cheaper and
more environmentally friendly energy oil for transportation. Oil from
the Jatropha plant can be used in diesel engines and refined to produce
bio fuel for jet aircraft on a sustainable and commercial level. We will
see prices much less than the present price of fossil oil. Is it the future
of renewable carbon friendly fuel for New Zealand and Australia?
Jatropha Curcas is a hardy tropical and subtropical plant which will grow
almost anywhere and in the most demanding of soil types. It needs little
water to survive. However in good soil it will thrive. Being a tropical
plant it cannot stand heavy frosts and would need shelter from these.
It produces a large seed pod containing two seeds that contain 30-40%
oil content. This oil is extracted, filtered and can be used directly
in Diesel engines. It is also refined in a chemical process to create
other biofuels. Jatropha plants do not compete with other food crops as
the nuts are poisonous to animals and humans and the plantations can also
be intercropped. Jatropha has been traditionally used as stock proof hedge
groves. Jatropha will also grow where food crops will not!
Burning Jatropha oil does not harm the environment because the carbon
dioxide produced in the combustion is absorbed by the plant itself during
the production process, thus creating a sustainable carbon cycle. Growers
of Jatropha also have benefits in carbon credit schemes now being introduced
in many parts of the world. Jatropha is quick growing, self supporting
and can be in production in seven months with full production in 4 years
and they can produce oil for up to 40 years. Production rates vary in
reports from 1,000-1,700 litres of oil per hectare per year. Presently
Jatropha is undomesticated and with scientific research and development
the yields can only increase.
Air New Zealand has tested Jatropha fuel and is convinced it is a viable
alternative to Kerosene. Return to this page for updates on the 2008 tests.
See this video.
This further information was taken from the airlines press release page
on why they choose to test Jatropha oil.
* It is drought resistant.
* It can be grown almost anywhere - even in sandy, saline, or otherwise
infertile soil.
* It adapts well to marginal soils and wetlands with low nutrient content.
* It is relatively easy to propagate.
* It is not invasive, damaging, or spreading like gorse.
* It is capable of stabilizing sand dunes, acting as a windbreak or combating
desertification.
* It naturally repels insects and animals do not browse it.
* It lives for 30-50 years producing seeds all the time.
* It is frost hardy (does not like hard freezes).
* It does not exhaust the nutrients in the land.
* It does not require expensive crop rotation.
* It grows quickly and establishes itself easily.
* It has a high yield.
* No displacement of food crops is necessary.
* It is great for developing countries in terms of energy and jobs.
* The waste plant mass after oil extraction can be used as a fertilizer.
Source from the official Air New Zealand Website
Millions of hectares of Jatropha is being planted worldwide and many more
will be needed if the worlds airlines wish to use it. Vast plantations
in otherwise unproductive land, creating income and jobs for people and
helping to drag them out of the poverty cycle. It is exciting to see a
future for third world families to become part of the energy solution
and create jobs and futures for their families. Small run holders and
lifestyle block owners are also planting Jatropha to offset the worlds
demand for fossil fuel and a desire to create a greener, cleaner, self-sustaining
energy source. Many of the new plantations are government subsidised in
places such as India and Indonesia. Farmers in developed countries may
be able to produce enough oil to offset their own requirements for transportation
and machinery by simply planting a few hectares of Jatropha. Future areas
affected by global warming could also sustain Jatropha crops.
We all know we need to focus on a more self sustaining future as the worlds
demand for energy increases. I doubt it could ever replace crude oil which
has so much energy locked up in it, but it could offset the huge demand
for this UN-renewable resource as we reach peak production levels. Hopefully
it would effectively take the monopoly away from fossil oil and level
the market.
Investment opportunities such as Jatropha refineries and plantations could
be excellent long term stock options.You may also be interested in growing
Jatropha on your property and looking at obtaining seeds? Look first at
the displayed Google links, then the google search provided, to obtain
more information on Jatropha energy and investment opportunities.