The specification sets out:
The publication by the British Standards Institution (BSI) follows an extensive review process by industry specialists alongside a public consultation. It replaces the existing voluntary industry standard BLPS 25 which OFTEC had previous published. Waste-derived HVO is already recognised in the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP 10.2) for compliance with building regulations, but this new specification provides the means and mechanisms to assure that only sustainable liquid fuels are used in the heat market.
The announcement comes as OFTEC calls on the government to adopt a technology neutral approach to off-grid decarbonisation which recognises renewable liquid fuels. OFTEC argues that harder to treat rural off gas grid oil properties would otherwise face unaffordable high costs and disruption to switch away from liquid fuel systems and that end users should have the option of using HVO via a more affordable non-disruptive conversion, which itself immediately reduces emissions by 88%.
Around 150 oil-heated properties across the UK have already been converted to HVO as part of an industry demonstration project which has been running for over two years. OFTEC’s registered technicians are already skilled, with the fuel and infrastructure already existing, to be able to scale up decarbonisation of the liquid fuel heat sector, the organisation says.
Paul Rose, Chief Executive of OFTEC, commented: “This is an important milestone in delivering a renewable liquid fuel solution for oil heated homes. We’ve demonstrated that HVO works as a direct replacement for kerosene and this new PAS ensures the continued use of sustainable waste derived liquid fuels.
“The mounting evidence to support HVO cannot be ignored and this new specification will help to deliver a low carbon, sustainable future for oil heated homes. We urge the government to recognise this opportunity to more quickly decarbonise the off-grid sector whilst minimising the cost and disruption for consumers.”
If you'd like to keep up-to-date with the latest developments in the heating and plumbing industry, why not subscribe to our weekly newsletters? Just click the button below and you can ensure all the latest industry news and new product information lands in your inbox every week.