Does it it take as much or more energy to grow the fuel for Bio Heating Oil as comes from the finished product?
Bio Heating Oil has a positive energy balance. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory found that B-100 has a net energy gain of 220% over inputs. Petroleum diesel (similar to #2 heating oil), has a net energy loss of 17%. Therefore, a B-20 blend has net energy ratio of 2%.* Another study by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance found that the ratio for B-100 can be as high as 251%.** A study by the United States Departments of Energy and Agriculture found a 3.2 to 1 positive life cycle energy balance, beginning with bare ground and counting all inputs for growing, harvesting, processing and transportation.
