Are you ready for the future of fuel?

As organizations across the world aim to reduce their carbon emissions in line with ambitious targets, alternatives to fossil fuels have never been more important.

Two options that get a lot of attention are HVO and HFO. But what exactly are they?

For your business to thrive in the future it’s crucial that you understand these alternative fuels and how you can use them. 

What is HVO?

HVO stands for Hydrotreated Vegetable Oils. This fuel is produced through the hydro-processing of vegetable oils and fats. As it’s a highly controlled process it produces an extremely pure, consistent fuel, and using only waste materials ensures greater efficiency and zero impact on the food supply.

It can be used as a drop-in fuel in most generators and is distributed, handled, and stored in the same way as traditional fuel, meaning it’s simple to make the switch.

Thanks to its significantly reduced harmful emissions and much-improved burning efficiency, HVO biodiesel is one of the cleanest, greenest fuels on the market.

Compared to traditional diesel from crude oil it produces:

• 90% less CO2 emissions
• 30% fewer hydrocarbons
• 24% less carbon monoxide emissions
• 9% fewer nitrogen oxides
• A 33% reduction in the levels of fine particulates
• Reduced levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

And because it’s a drop-in fuel it can be used in any engine, distribution, and refueling infrastructure without the need for any modifications to equipment. As it doesn’t contain any esters or contaminants like traditional diesel or FAME (Fatty Acid Methyl Ester)  it can be stored for extended periods without performance being affected.

Aggreko is committed to supporting customers in their journey to net-zero and our full HVO fuel management service is designed to make the switch as simple as possible. We’ll monitor your fuel consumption to optimize deliveries and automatically replenish you when you run out. We always guarantee the highest quality fuel, free from contaminants, and our fuel tanks are fully bunded to eliminate leaks. And if you do have a fuel emergency, we’re on hand 24/7 to help.

What is HFO?

Heavy Fuel Oil, also known as bunker fuel or residual fuel oil is the result of the distillation and cracking process of petroleum. This means it is contaminated with aromatics, sulfur, and nitrogen so it’s predominantly used for marine vessels and off-grid locations requiring large amounts of power that cannot be provided by cleaner fuels.

It can be significantly cheaper than traditional diesel power and is just as reliable making it the perfect choice when you need a large amount of power either as a bridge whilst you wait for a grid connection or as a long-term solution. An HFO plant can also be synchronized with the grid at any required voltage so if you are in a region where grid power is unstable, HFO can ensure uninterrupted power. 

Aggreko’s mobile, modular HFO packages can be quickly installed and scaled up or down as demand fluctuates. We recently saved a Madagascan utility company 20% compared to diesel power by installing an HFO plant delivering 28MW every day to the 1.4 million residents of the capital, Antananarivo. 

There’s no CAPEX required as all the equipment is rented so you can benefit from the significant savings of HFO without having to make a large up-front investment.

What does your fuel future look like?

There’s no time to waste - if you don’t plan for your fuel future now you’ll be left behind. Spiraling costs and struggling to reduce your carbon emissions could ultimately make your business unviable. 

That’s why you need to look for a partner like Aggreko that will support you with the best possible solutions now and keep you informed of new developments and where you should be focusing your attention next. 

The fuel industry doesn’t stand still, and we’ll always be at the cutting edge, helping our customers take advantage and stay ahead of the game. Get in touch today and find out what Aggreko can do for you and your fuel.