RSP Consulting Engineers

An example of the controversy surrounding what to do about global warming and climate change is well illustrated in the attached Spanish example of what seemed to be a great idea at the time to use an available Bio- Fuel and as a sideline reduce, energy costs, C0₂ emissions and waste products.

Some environmentalists are questioning the ecological impact of bio-fuels and know it seems they are also beginning to question the latest bio-fuel technology being increasingly used as an alternative and available energy source in Spain, the humble olive pip.

Over 300 buildings in Madrid are now being powered by the embers of burning olive stones, one of the companies involved in the scheme, Calordom is very enthusiastic. It’s boss Juan Cabello argues “The energy 100% non polluting, which is a kilo (2.2 pounds) of burnt olive cores, in reality wood compressed in a natural fashion emits the same quantity of carbon gas as they would if you just left them to rot on the ground”.

Not everyone is impressed though, Sara Pizzinato from Greenpeace says that “the carbon gas emitted to produce this energy must not be greater than that which it is then going to emit and that the energy generated by this combustible (product) must be superior to the energy utilised in creating the  combustible”.

This debate and others like it about the ecological impact of alternative fuels and there impact on global warming will run and run till we or it runs out of Gas.