The Byford Rail Extension is breaking new ground as the first project in the history of Western Australia’s construction industry to trial the use of renewable diesel.
The trial is powering four on-site pieces of equipment with HVO100 – hydrotreated vegetable oil made from used oils, fats and waste products from the food industry.
“The Byford Rail Extension is trialling the use of renewable diesel to help reduce its carbon footprint,” a Metronet spokesperson said.
“The project will substitute 23,000L of traditional diesel with HVO, which is expected to produce 95 per cent fewer CO2 emissions and less noxious gases, all while delivering the same performance as regular diesel.
“Reducing emissions of heavy vehicles, rail freight, mining, agriculture, construction plant and equipment can be challenging and trials such as this aim to demonstrate the role renewable fuels can play in helping to achieve sustainability targets.”
The HVO trial is being run with Curtin University who will undertake studies to understand implications for fuel efficiency, emission reduction and impacts to engines.
The data captured will be provided to the Department of Transport to show the viability of HVO fuel for current and future infrastructure projects, and to help build the case for wider industry use once WA supply of HVO is available in 2025/26.
