Naval Base Welcomes Biofuel Production System

The call for alternative fuel sources is being heard, as world-recognized aerospace and defense leader Aerojet teams up with Biodiesel Industries to bring a new fuel production system to Naval Base Ventura County. Port Hueneme will be operating with the newly implemented ARIES system, a remote controlled operation that produces biodiesel on-site.

In 2003, Biodiesel Industries established a connection with the naval base to incorporate sustainable fuel sources, pitching the idea on cost efficiency and dependability. The environmental benefits are just an added bonus. With the new ARIES system (Automated real-time, Remote, Integrated, Energy System), the base will reportedly be able to produce billions of gallons of biodiesel per year right in its backyard.

“Aerojet’s decades of automated systems expertise brings multiple benefits to Biodiesel Industries’ advanced biofuel processes,” said Scott Seymour, president of Aerojet, in a press release. “The delivery of this first biodiesel production unit to the U.S. Navy heralds the first in what we hope are a series of successful demonstrations of our ability to deliver efficient and sustainable energy production for military and civilian use.”

With the ARIES system, according to representatives, Biodiesel Industries will be able to remotely control and operate hundreds of production facilities from one control center. Aerojet’s systems control technologies will give data centers real-time sensing, purportedly allowing better control over processing and production.

One of the more appealing qualities of the biodiesel system is its production resources. ARIES is designed to convert agricultural waste, such as yellow grease, jatropha, and algae, into a useable fuel source. The system can convert used cooking grease, which costs $2.50 per gallon, into a nontoxic, biodegradable replacement for petroleum diesel.

Biodiesel Industries’ partnership with Aerojet, say representatives, is committed to developing technology that will strengthen America’s defenses through dependable resources. Russell Teall, president and founder of Biodiesel Technologies, has been innovating new strategies in next generation biofuels for the past 16 years.

“Creating truly sustainable systems requires a thorough understanding of every aspect of biodiesel production, from feedstocks to finished products,” Teall said in a written statement. “The Integrated Energy System incorporated into ARIES will eventually allow us to generate our own heat and power, and to feed the surplus into a local micro-grid. These Energy Islands will support the local community with renewable and sustainable fuel, electricity, and heat.”