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 plans to test fly a 747 on Jatropha fuel and is convinced
it is a viable alternative to Kerosene. Return to this page for updates
on the 2008 tests. I smile as I wonder if Air New Zealand will change
the name of the plant to JETropha?
Millions of hectares of Jatropha is being planted worldwide. 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.
I am from the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand where I work as a photographer
and artist. I intend growing a small amount of Jatropha oil to see if
it can be grown successfully in my own area. If so I intend extending
my involvement to a self-sustainable level. I believe it may be useful
for lifestyle farmers on a small scale because of its intercropping abilities
but I don't feel you will see New Zealand farmers sowing vast plantations.
The reason being, at this stag Jatropha must be hand harvested with a
high labour cost and New Zealand farmland is very productive for practices
that are more lucrative. If the value of Jatropha increases that may change.
Air New Zealand said they would only purchase Jatropha fuel originated
from land that does not compete with food. It comes back to the new 'fuel
or food debate' we have seen develop in recent years.
I stress that I am not a scientist and I am simply following the links
on the Internet to do my own research into Jatropha oil. I will keep you
updated via this page with a blog posted below.
Andrew Whyte
www.andrewwhyte.com
www.jatrophaplants.info
Custom Search
(no
link use a detailed subject line) At this stage I have not set a price
for the test seeds and I have read that seed can degrade quickly from
the time of harvest. I have heard Jatropha seeds are much easier to import
then seedlings and they will also adapt much better to the local subtropical
climate. Meaning they should be more hardy, we will see! Please do not
email me for any other information on Jatropha as what you are reading
is all I know at this stage, rather use some of the links on this page
to do your own research. If I learn anything new of significance I will
post it on this website. If you know sometihing I don't, I would love
to hear from you. AW 
See New Zealand through the brush of Andrew Whyte.