Coconut Oil as a Biofuel in Pacific Islands

Coconut Oil as a biofuel in Pacific Islands
Coconut Oil as a Biofuel in Pacific Islands

Jan Cloin
South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission

There are great opportunities to utilise coconut oil as a fuel in the Pacific. Coconut oil can
be blended with diesel fuel, and under certain conditions totally replace it. Coconut oil in
Pacific islands countries is increasingly used in both transport and electricity generation
through its lower local cost. Other benefits include the support to local agro-industries
and a decrease in emissions.

Biofuels in the Pacific
extinct, especially through the high inputs
The use of biofuels is nearly as old as the
of labour required, with low return. By
diesel engine itself, as Mr. Diesel
switching to mechanised production of
designed his original engine running on
local fuel substitutes instead of focusing
peanut oil. During periods in history
on highly competitive exports, economic
when regular diesel supply was
niches can be found on the islands
hampered seriously such as during World
themselves.
War II, throughout the world vegetable

alternatives from different sources and in
There are a number of ways in which
different forms have been used.
vegetable oils such as coconut oil can be

used in compression engines (See
The specific circumstances of small
Coconut Oil Fuel Technology). Another
Pacific Islands call for local solutions.
promising technology includes straight
Since most Pacific island countries
gasification of whole coconuts, however
import their fuels at very high transport
this requires further technological
costs, it makes economic sense to find
development.
local fuel supplies. Even though the

Pacific islands on a world-scale do not
Coconut Oil Fuel Technology
contribute much to the emission of
Use of Coconut Oil in Standard Engines
greenhouse gasses, their case for
Figure 1 gives an overview of the options
mitigation assistance under the Kyoto
to use coconut oil in Compression (Diesel)
Protocol becomes much stronger if they
engines. Coconut oil can be blended with
simultaneously look for environmentally
diesel, straight in an adapted engine or
beneficial alternatives to fossil fuels.
turned into biodiesel. Because of higher

specific density and slightly lower energy
The traditional production of copra (flesh
content, specific fuel consumption using
from a coconut) and its oil, an industry
coconut oil is generally 8% higher.
inherited from colonial times, has been

suffering from low world market prices
Many studies involving the use of
and high transport costs. In a number of
vegetable oils such as coconut oil were
countries, the copra industry is nearly
conducted in the early 1980s. Short term
Diesel

Blend<20%
Coconut oil
r
Adapt Engine:
n Engine
Coconut Oil
Fuel pump, tank,
o
o
r / Ca
filters and injectors
ressi
p
Standard
Generat
Waste
Biodiesel
Com
Vegetable Oil
Figure 1: Overview of Biofuel Choices for Compression Engine
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Coconut Oil as a biofuel in Pacific Islands
engine testing indicates that vegetable
oils can readily be used as a fuel or in a
range of blends with diesel. Long-term
engine research however shows that
engine durability is questionable when
fuel blends contain more than 20%
vegetable oil [1,2,5,11]. Especially
deposits on the pistons, valves,
combustion chambers and injectors can
cause severe loss of output power,
engine lubricant deterioration or even
catastrophic failure to engines [6].

Using pure coconut oil in standard
engines is very attractive through its low
cost, however it requires special
Figure 3: Coconut Oil Adapted Vehicles in
technical supervision and may shorten
Vanuatu (Tony Deamer)
engine life.


Use of Coconut Oil in Adapted Engines
Fuel System Adaptations
Fuel Heater
It is also possible to adapt the fuel system
As coconut oil has up to 30 times higher
of a compression engine to start and stop
viscosity than regular diesel at the same
on pure coconut oil. Mostly, these engines
temperature, most engine modifications
feature adapted injectors, dedicated fuel
include a fuel heater. As heat is
pumps and extra filters. A good example
exchanged between the engine coolant
of this is the pilot plant in Ouvéa, New
and the fuel, the oil viscosity
Caledonia, implemented by SPC and
approximates that of diesel [7]. As
CIRAD in the 1990’s [3,12]. Further
coconut oil solidifies below temperatures
feasibility studies have shown favourable
of 250C, often an electrical heater is
opportunities for both electricity
incorporated in the fuel tank.
generation and taxis in Vanuatu [9,10].


Start / Stop on Diesel
In Europe and the United States, the use
Most adaptations incorporate a start and
of dual fuel systems, mainly in automotive
stop on regular diesel. As soon as the
applications, is slowly developing. Through
engine is operating at rated
a combination of high taxation on fuels
temperature, the fuel supply switches to
(Europe), low vegetable oil prices (U.S.)
coconut oil and just before shutting
an increasing number of consumers have
down, the supply is switched back to
acquired an alternative fuel system built in
diesel. This system ensures that the fuel
their vehicles. Reportedly, the emission
system has diesel ready for a cold start
reductions achieved through use of these
fuels have been mixed [8].

The main advantage of adapted engines is
their fuel flexibility and relatively low
additional cost. The major disadvantage is
the loss of guarantee from the engine
manufacturer, even though some engine
manufacturers are now supporting the use
of coconut oil under certain conditions. A
second disadvantage is the requirement
for higher loads, as low loads result in
heavy deposits on the combustion
chamber components, reducing engine life
[12].

Figure 2: Fiji Rural Electricity Generation
adaptations: special pump and filter.
and avoids coconut oil residues in the
fuel system.
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Coconut Oil as a biofuel in Pacific Islands
The use of Biodiesel
Biodiesel is a standardised fuel that
CNO World Export Market and price per litre
consists of vegetable oil Methyl Ester.
2.5
0.8
It is a product of vegetable oil that
reacts with an alcohol (methanol) and
0.7
a catalyst (sodium hydroxide). This
2
process generates two products:
0.6
glycerine, which can be used in soap
production, and biodiesel. There are
0.5
1.5
two fully developed standards of
biodiesel, ASTM-D 6751 in the U.S.
0.4
and EN14214 in the E.U. Following
1
US$/litre
these standards upholds the
0.3
Million tonnes
guarantee of the engine
0.2
manufacturer [4].
0.5

0.1
Positive impacts on engines include
increased lubricity and a reduction of
0
0
visible particles in the exhaust.
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
Secondly, other (waste) vegetable oil
Year
Market Volume
can be included in the feedstock of
US$ per litre
biodiesel production.

Figure 4: Copra Oil World Export Market and Price
The major disadvantage of biodiesel is
(Source: Philippines Coconut Authority)
its high costs through the use of a
chemical facility and the requirement of
world price. The price composition for
imported methanol. Current research by
traditional production of copra oil in Fiji is
the University of the South Pacific will
given in table 1. The value of the coconuts
have to point out whether the production
and the labour to create copra (includes
of standard biodiesel can be competitive
cutting the coconut flesh out of the shell
using locally produced ethanol from
and drying it) are almost equal. On top of
sugarcane.
that the mill obtains 11 US cents per litre

in return for producing and filtering the
Coconut Oil Economics
oil. Finally 11 US cents are required to get
The world production of coconuts in
the oil to the world market, in this
copra equivalent has been floating
example, the port of Rotterdam.
around 10 million tonnes per year. Of

this market, between 1 and 2 million
One of the reasons why the copra oil
tonnes has been traded on the world
industry in many Pacific island countries is
market. Figure 4 shows the volume of
suffering is because they have a relatively
the global copra oil market and the
small size and little opportunities for
associated price per litre over the last 5
economies of scale. Because of the low
years.
return for the harsh work involved with

the cutting and drying of copra, many
The price fluctuation of coconut oil has
rural farmers are diverting to other cash
been significant, between 0.3 and 0.7
crops, leaving coconuts unharvested in
US$/litre. The export market consists
plantations. Regional potential production
mainly of industrial processes that can
estimates amount up to a total of 100
use other vegetable oils if the world price
million litres of coconut oil.
for coconut oil is high. This can be seen

for example 1999 when there was a
There are many opportunities to
worldwide shortage of coconut oil. The
mechanise the process of copra
world market price is therefore also very
production, but this will only materialise
much linked to the prices and yields of
when investors perceive the risks of the
other oils such as palm, corn and canola.
investments required to be minimal.
Since the Pacific island countries only
Switching to higher value product-market
produce a small percentage of the world
combination such as Coconut Oil Fuel
export (Papua New Guinea: 2.2%,
might assist in this transition. The electric
Solomon Islands: 1% Samoa 0.4%, Fiji
utility of Western Samoa (EPC) is
0.3%), any increase or decrease in
currently carrying out a feasibility study of
production in the Pacific will not alter the
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Coconut Oil as a biofuel in Pacific Islands
a mechanised Coconut Oil Fuel
production plant on the island of Savai’i.
Table 1: Fiji Coconut Oil Price Composition

Price in Oil
Share of
Equivalent
Local Oil
[US$/l]
Price [%]
Coconuts on field
0.22
39
Return for labour to Cut/Dry Copra
0.25
42
Dry Copra at Mill
0.47
81
Return for Milling / Filtering
0.11
19
Coconut Oil Price at Mill (Fiji)
0.48
100
Storage, Transport, Financing
0.11
19
World Coconut Oil Price (Rotterdam)
0.59
123

Figure 5: Traditional Copra Production in Samoa
What becomes apparent when looking at
the figures in Table 1 is that the local
depicts the opportunity cost of a litre of
price of coconut oil is significantly lower
coconut oil of being exported. The price
than the world price, through the cost of
difference is even larger for remote islands
storage, transport and financing. Since
and villages inside the Pacific islands
one litre of diesel must be replaced by
countries, where additional local transport
1.08 litre of coconut oil (see box “Coconut
costs have to be taken into account.
Oil Fuel Technology”), the opportunity

cost for local coconut oil versus diesel is
Given the volatility of both the prices for
therefore US$ 0.52 per litre.
coconut oil and diesel, flexible fuel

systems running on both fuels, have
Figure 6 shows the retail prices and
preference. Even running generators on
landed cost of diesel fuel in the region, the
low blends (10-20%) of coconut oil
difference being taxes, excise and
without investing in engine adaptation can
distribution costs. The line in the graph
have great financial benefits.
Pacific Regional Diesel Prices
Niue
Tuvalu
Vanuatu
Tonga
Kiribati
New Caledonia
Marshall Islands
French Polynesia
Papua New Guinea
Solomon Islands
Fiji
Pacific Island Opportunity Cost of Coconut Oil: US$0.52/litre
Hawaii
Retail
Samoa
Excluding Duty & Taxes
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
US$cents/litre
Figure 6: Pacific Regional Diesel Prices (Source: Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Fuel Price Monitor Nov-Dec 2004)
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Coconut Oil as a biofuel in Pacific Islands

coconut oil with diesel to decrease
The further rationalisation and
costs per km. For coconut oil fuel to
mechanisation of the coconut oil supply
be a sustainable alternative to diesel
chain will increase the security of supply,
fuel in the Pacific, restructuring of the
however this requires significant
coconut industry and replanting of
investment in the coconut oil sector.
coconut plantations is required.
After restructuring and replanting of
Widespread utilisation of alternative
coconut plantations, most Pacific islands
fuels will require active involvement
have the potential to provide one third to
of engine manufacturers and local
half of their current diesel imports.
mechanics.


Environmental Benefits
Acknowledgement
The widespread use of Coconut Oil to
The author is grateful for the essential
replace diesel has a range of potential
contributions of: Patrice Courty, Tony Deamer
environmental benefits. First, there is
and Dr. Gilles Vaitilingom.
the decrease of emissions of poisonous

gases and particulate matter as
References
compared to diesel, through the higher
[1] Allen, M. (2002) “Straighter than straight vegetable oils
as diesel fuels”, Prince of Songkla University, Thailand
oxygen content of coconut oil. These

benefits however do not materialise so
[2] Calais, P. and Clark, A.R. (2004) “Waste Vegetable Oil as
a diesel Replacement Fuel”, Murdoch University and Western
well using straight vegetable oil in
Australian Renewable Fuels Association, Western Australia.
standard engines [8]. Secondly, the use

[3] Courty, P. (1998) “Potential for copra oil as a biofuel: A
of coconut oil can be considered CO2
development tool for Pacific Community countries and
neutral. The CO
territories” SPC, New Caledonia
2 stored in the coconuts,
husks and shells are used in the process

[4] EMA Engine Manufacturers Association (2003) “Technical
of oil production (husk and shells for
statement on the use of biodiesel fuel in compression
drying the copra) and burning of the oil.
ignition engines” EMA, Chicago, U.S.A.

This CO2 is again sequestrated during
[5] Jones, J. and Peterson, C.L. (2002) “Using unmodified
the growing of new trees and nuts.
Vegetable Oil as a Diesel Fuel Extender” University of Idaho,
U.S.A.


Socio-Economic Benefits
[6] Knothe, G. et al (1997) “Biodiesel: The use of straight
Creating a local industry that substitutes
vegetable oil and their derivatives as alternative diesel
fuels”, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S.A.
fuel imports, benefits fragile Pacific

island countries substantially through
[7] Kopial, T. et al (2004) “Effects of reducing coconut oil
viscosity on engine performance”, PNG University of
improvements in balance of payments
Technology, Lae, Papua New Guinea
[13] and job creation. Simultaneously,

[8] Lance, D. et al (2003) “DfT Biofuels Evaluation – Final
coconut farmers are given access to a
Report of Test Programme to Evaluate Emissions
new, potentially booming market once
Performance of Vegetable Oil Fuel on Two Light Duty Diesel
the difference with the benchmark of the
Vehicles”, Ricardo Consulting Engineers, U.K.

diesel price further increases.
[9] Leplus, A. (2003) “Biofuel Energy from Coconut in the

Pacific Islands” MSc. Thesis, Wageningen University, The
Netherlands.
Conclusion

Even though there is quite some
[10] Ribier, V. et al (2004) “Etude de faisabilité d’un projet
de valorisation de l’huile de coprah à l’échelle villageoise – le
evidence of the environmental
cas de la coopérative ‘Lory’, Nord Santo” CIRAD, France
benefits using vegetable oils as a

fuel, it is the local cost of fuel that is
[11] Solly, R.K. (1983) “Coconut oil and Coconut Oil Ethanol
Derivatives as fuel for Diesel Engines” University of the
the real driver behind these
South Pacific, Fiji Islands
developments in the Pacific island

[12] Vaitilingom, G. et al. (1995) “Crude Copra Oil, a biofuel
economies. Electric Utilities for diesel engines” CIRAD / SPC, New Caledonia
generally suffer from great

[13] Zieroth, G. et al (1985) “Biofuels for developing
dependence on imported diesel for
countries: Promising strategy or dead end?”, GTZ, Germany
power generation and are seeking

new ways to hedge these risks.
Links for further information
Motorists have successfully blended
http://www.journeytoforever.org/biofuel_library.html
http://www.sopac.org/tiki/tiki-index.php?page=Energy+Projects+COPRA

Biography Jan Cloin
Joined SOPAC – Community Lifelines Programme – in December 2003 as a U.N. Associate Expert. He
started his career with PV Solar Home Systems research in Southern Africa for the Netherlands Energy
Research Foundation (ECN). After that, he worked briefly for the UNDP Energy & Atmosphere Programme
in New York. Before joining SOPAC, he was active in the green electricity sector in The Netherlands.
Currently, he is working on the use of Biofuels, Wind Energy Education and Renewable Energy Training.
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