Fuelling a reduction in emissions

Nick Crolla, head of sales and marketing at Rubis Channel Islands (35479279)

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Nick Crolla, head of sales and marketing at Rubis Channel Islands, explains how the firm is broadening its sustainable efforts

WE recognise that, as a community, the choices we make around fuel and energy play an important role in achieving climate goals for our islands.

Reducing carbon emissions and offering alternatives to fossil-fuel products through renewables and energy-efficient solutions is at the heart of the Rubis Channel Islands strategy.

With a growing range of climate-friendly products for vehicles, homes, businesses and for marine use, Rubis has been transitioning as a business and is committed to helping to improve the environment. From renewable fuels to solar power and super-efficient technologies, we are already delivering solutions using multiple energy sources to make our islands cleaner for tomorrow.

FOR THE ROAD

The first wave of Rubis’ transition came more than four years ago, when we launched 100% renewable diesel – Rubis RD100 – in the Channel Islands, with Sion Garage becoming the first garage in the British Isles, as well as in Europe, to sell the new grade.

Made entirely from 100% renewable materials, the revolutionary fuel outperforms other biodiesels and fossil diesel and will cut global carbon emissions from diesel engines by up to 90% over its lifecycle. It is a drop-in alternative to regular diesel, and is fully compatible with any existing diesel distribution infrastructure and diesel combustion engine. There is no need for any modifications to be made before switching to this fuel.

Since the launch of Rubis RD100, there has been a lot of demand for the product, particularly from businesses which wanted to promote behavioural change within the organisation. Woodside Logistics and 4Hire were the first to make the switch to RD100, while many other companies have since started trialling the product. For drivers of diesel vehicles, this fantastic alternative fuel is also available at Rubis forecourts at First Tower, Falles Airport and Sion Garage.

FOR HOMES AND BUSINESSES

Renewable heating oil

After the success with renewable diesel, in 2021, we introduced an immediate solution to reduce carbon emissions for oil-heated households and businesses in the Channel Islands – a 100% renewable heating oil called EcoHeat100.

We believe that if a customer wants to be carbon-neutral, they should be able to choose between energy providers and not have to spend thousands of pounds on a new heating system. EcoHeat100 enables heating-oil customers to do just that and switch their fuel rather than their entire heating system. While EcoHeat100 is slightly more expensive than traditional heating oil, for those looking to switch to electricity to be environmentally conscious, EcoHeat100 is more cost-effective than installing a new electric heating system.

EcoBoilers

According to the Government of Jersey’s Carbon Neutral Roadmap, new fossil-fuel-boiler installations will be banned from 2026. However, the EcoBoiler will not be a part of this ban, as it can run on renewable heating oil such as EcoHeat100.

Solar

Last year, Rubis Group announced the strategic acquisition of French solar energy firm Photosol to accelerate the transition to renewable energies and decarbonisation. Locally, we carried out our first solar PV installation in 2021 and can now leverage the expertise and experience of this larger group.

Coffee Logs

Coffee grounds often end up in landfill, where they degrade and emit harmful greenhouse gases. Coffee Logs are eco-friendly logs for your fire, made from recycled coffee grounds.

By collecting used grounds from a wide range of businesses in the UK – including universities, instant-coffee factories, coffee shops, airports and railway stations – Coffee Logs are able to recycle this waste product to harness the untapped energy left behind, to create a green energy source. This process also reduces emissions, caused by coffee grounds left in landfill, by 80%.

FOR THE SEA

As well as providing quality road fuel, heating oil and heating services, we also provide marine fuel and hydrotreated vegetable oil for sea use. Thanks to our comprehensive supply network, we can provide premium-quality bio-free marine fuels at competitive prices in Jersey, Guernsey and Alderney.

In 2021, Herm Island started to run the ‘Isle of Herm’ ferry service exclusively on HVO, which was provided by Rubis Channel Islands. It was the first and only ferry service in the Channel Islands to use renewable fuel and, after a successful trial, both companies entered a partnership with the ambition of reducing the island’s environmental impact and absolute greenhouse-gas emissions.

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