Utilising HVO fuel to reduce carbon emissions

Hughes and Salvidge has been utilising HVO fuel at two different sites in a bid to reduce our carbon footprint, and that of our clients’. HVO -
or Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil - fuel is rapidly emerging as a game-changer in the quest for sustainable energy solutions, reportedly
delivering up to 67% lower carbon emissions than using standard diesel.

Derived from renewable and sustainable raw materials such as vegetable oils and animal fats, HVO fuel is a high-quality, paraffinic diesel
alternative that offers significant environmental benefits compared to traditional fossil diesel.

We first ventured into the use of HVO when one of our clients set a proviso on our contract with them that HVO fuel must be used for all work
at their site. The client, which is located at one of our secure sites, has employed us to undertake demolition works of a number of vast projects through recent years, with some more major works in the pipeline.

Using HVO exclusively is in line with the client’s environmental goals, which we are more than happy to adhere to, and the fuel itself is made readily available for us to use. They like to track their emissions/fuel usage, so we submit monthly reports of all the HVO fuel and waste from each project.

The second site to venture into the use of HVO fuel is Heathrow Airport, where we have a permanent airside presence, undertaking a range
of demolition works in line with project plans.

We have been provided with specific access points to HVO, which we utilise as much as we can. Tight turnaround times, the fast pace
required for airport working, and the fact the HVO burns quicker than regular diesel, means that we cannot commit to using HVO exclusively
there, but usage levels are growing month on month, which is a trend we expect to continue.

HVO fuel offers many advantages:

• HVO can achieve up to a 67% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions over its lifecycle compared to fossil diesel.
• It also burns cleaner, producing lower levels of particulate matter and nitrogen oxides (NOx), which contributes to improved air quality.
• HVO is free from sulphur and aromatics, two components that are harmful to both the environment and engine performance.
• It is fully compatible with existing diesel engines, requiring no modifications to vehicles or infrastructure, making it an easy and cost-effective solution for businesses aiming to move to greener energy sources.
• Performance-wise, HVO matches or exceeds that of traditional diesel. It offers excellent cold-weather performance, a longer shelf life, and reduced engine wear due to its cleaner-burning properties.

The main challenges of HVO are that the production cost of HVO is higher than conventional diesel, and its availability is currently limited to
certain regions. However, as demand grows and production processes become more efficient, the cost gap is expected to narrow and
availability widen.

Hughes and Salvidge Environmental Advisor, Lily Timney said: “I hope in the future we can present our clients with greener package options when quoting for jobs, such as using HVO fuel. In time, I’d like to educate our project managers and site managers/supervisors on the benefits of using HVO. With both more education, and clients being able to pick from our regular quote or greener quote, we should start making a greater impact on our carbon emission reduction goals.”

Explore some of the other projects we’ve undertaken as well as the services we provide.