05.07.2009

Biofuels are fuel made from living organism or from the waste they produce and include wood, biogas, ethanol, diesel or other liquid fuels made from processing plant material or waste oil. In recent years, the term “biofuel” has come to mean the last category – ethanol and diesel, made from crops including corn, sugarcane (the most efficient source of biofuels) and rapeseed. Biodiesel is made through a variety of chemical processes. In principle, biofuels are a way of reducing greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional transport fuels and for many years have been thought to provide a small but fast-growing share of road-fuel supplies, and had been expected to make an important contribution to meeting growing fuel demand. However, the energy used in farming, processing and transporting the crops can make biofuels as polluting as petroleum-based fuels. In addition, there is mounting concern that biofuels may be contributing to food shortages

A clean burning alternative fuel, produced from domestic, renewable resources containing no petroleum. It is derived from vegetable oils or animal fats which conform to ASTM D6751 specifications for use in diesel engines.

Biodiesel is an alternative fuel produced from plants or vegetable oils and used as a motor fuel, usually when mixed with diesel. Biodiesel offers environmental advantages in terms of both vehicle emissions and the recycling of used oil.

Water that contains relatively low concentrations of any soluble salts. Brackish water is saltier than fresh

Bituminous is a type of coal that contains very little moisture and has high heat value. A rank of coal that falls between anthracite and semi-bituminous. The most abundant rank of coal. Frequently referred to by the layman as “soft coal”.

The world’s third largest integrated oil concern, behind Exxon Mobil and Royal Dutch Shell. The company, which was formed in 1998 from the merger of British Petroleum and the US giant Amoco (formerly Standard Oil of Indiana), then named BP Amoco until 2000 when it was renamed BP. BP has proved reserves of 18.3 billion barrels of oil equivalent, including large holdings in Alaska. BP is the largest oil and gas producer in the US and also a top refiner

A way of designing and constructing buildings and manipulating the environment within buildings, taking into account climate and environmental conditions to help achieve thermal comfort, reduce the consumption of fossil fuel and cut electricity bills. Designs include optimum site selection (such as exposure to winter sun or summer breeze), use of building components for roof, walls, floors (can be used as heat storage) and windows (for increasing daylight), etc. Green building programs aim to improve energy efficiency and the integration of renewable energy sources in buildings. It is also the practice of increasing the efficiency with which buildings use a variety of resources whether energy, water, materials while reducing the building’s impact on human health and the environment.