Mali

Pursuing jatropha oil as a sustainable biofuel

As a land-locked country that does not produce petroleum and as one of the poorest countries in the world, Mali’s fuel bills are staggering, totaling $600 million (CAD) in 2007. Consequently, the Government of Mali is keen to draw on its natural resources to develop made-at-home alternatives that are both environmentally sustainable and economically viable.

Advancing the use of biofuels — particularly from jatropha oil — is a priority of Mali’s energy policy, which aims to reduce dependence on huge petroleum imports, encourage more consumption of sustainable energy in rural areas and create jobs and income-generating activities in rural communities. The strategy pays particular attention to low-income women, who can earn income through the production, commercialization and consumption of value-added products such as soap and pesticide.

Within this context, a national agency for the development of biofuels (ANADEB) has several demonstration pilot projects underway, including testing the viability of biofuels in vehicles such as the Toyota Hilux. More research is needed, however, to validate and build on preliminary results, particularly around standards and criteria for sustainability. The CAREG project thus provided an opportunity for Mali to significantly advance its research on biofuels.

Working together in both Mali and Quebec, the researchers tested varieties of jatropha oil from different regions of Mali, identifying flash point, viscosity, acid levels and other properties. They also developed an experimental protocol for evaluating the stability of a biodiesel-diesel blend in internal combustion engines, including on-road tests in the Toyota Hilux. Through a partnership with ANADEB, two students with ENI-ABT studied the use of biofuels in generators on two different sites. Finally, they prepared technical documentation for ENI-ABT on the use of jatropha oil in engines and generators, strengthening the capacity of the laboratories and the senior students who use them.

These results were disseminated in several ways, including a press conference in Bamako and a conference on biofuels at UQTR led by the two African researchers. Ultimately, through all these achievements, the project contributed to building a national strategy to develop a biofuels industry in Mali.