Cold Temperature Limits to Biodiesel Use under Present and Future Climates in North America.

Abstract

Cold weather operability is sometimes a limiting factor in the use of biodiesel blends for transportation. Regional temperature variability can therefore influence biodiesel adoption, with potential economic and environmental implications. This study assesses present and future biodiesel cold weather operability limits in North America according to temperature data from weather stations, atmospheric reanalysis, and global climate models with highest resolution over Ontario, Canada. Future temperature projections using the RCP8.5 climate change scenario show increases in the potential duration for certain seasonal fuel blends. For example, biodiesel blends whose cloud point temperature is -9 °C may expand their duration by 3-7% in North America for nonwinter seasons according to projections for 2040. Cloud point specifications among supply orbits in Ontario increase up to +6 °C during nonwinter seasons, with most increases observed in Fall and Spring. In winter, however, the modeling suggests no change in Ontario cloud point specifications because the coldest temperatures by mid-century are not significantly warmer than the past climate normal according to our climate simulations. This study provides a quantitative analysis on biodiesel usage scenarios under a changing climate, including Ontario region geographic temperature clusters that could prove useful for biodiesel blend-related decision-making.