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.


Blog by Andrew Whyte
www.andrewwhyte.com

© Andrew Whyte 2009