MUSCAT: The use of biofuel by Mwasalat may well define the future of fuel in public as well as general transport. The Oman National Transport Company's Mwasalat took its first trip from Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) to Al Alam Palace back and forth.
The trial run of a vehicle running on biofuel (derived from date stones) was successful, as the scientific research project is funded by the Petroleum Development Oman (PDO).
The scientific research team at SQU was able to produce 100 litres of biodiesel from date stones. The project was funded by the Ejad platform as part of its quest to achieve net zero emissions and was implemented by a research team from SQU. The "Ejad" platform is an electronic platform that allows the industrial sector to present the industrial challenges they face, and researchers in universities can view these challenges and propose solutions to them, which will lead to directing research in universities to applied research closely related to the industry.
Biofuel is a clean fuel, the production of which depends primarily on the conversion of biomass into alcoholic ethanol or organic diesel, which means that it can be used in lighting, vehicle running and generator management by significantly reducing dependence on fossil fuel.
One of the advantages of biofuel is its low cost and the possibility of producing it at any time and in any part of the earth due to the availability of its raw materials and its non-adherence to any geographical or natural factors.
Biofuel is energy derived from living organisms, whether plant or animal, it is one of the most important sources of renewable energy, unlike other natural resources such as oil, coal, and all types of fossil fuels and nuclear fuels.
Khamis bin Mohammed al Shamakhi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology for Transport, mentioned the importance of intensifying efforts and cooperation between higher education and scientific research institutions and the public and private sectors to push for more of these national initiatives that will contribute to enabling the transport sector to achieve national goals and reach zero-carbon neutrality by 2050.
The produced biodiesel is subject to tests in an accredited international laboratory in the United Kingdom, and the Petroleum Development Oman Company announced its success in testing this fuel on a diesel generator in University Square. All that is to check its performance and the amount of CO2 reduced by its use and such research comes as part of the Sultanate of Oman efforts to use biofuels.
The Oman aims to reduce dependence on gas in electricity generation and support the strategy to reach zero carbon neutrality by 2050. In addition to enhancing the Sultanate of Oman's contributions to the renewable energy sector by 20 per cent by 2030, the Sultanate of Oman is making advanced steps. To achieve optimum utilisation of energy and develop renewable energy projects to support economic diversification plans and promote sustainable energy in line with the Paris Climate Agreement.
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