Biodico Inc. announced Nov. 29 that it has made its first delivery of biodiesel to the University of California, Santa Barbara. The biodiesel, which was produced from used cooking oil collected at the university, will fuel tractors and other diesel-powered equipment at UCSB.

Biodico produced the biodiesel at its Zero Net Energy Farm located in the San Joaquin Valley. The ZNEF facility is funded in part by a grant from the California Energy Commission to create an energy solution that generates all electrical and heating power needs from on-site renewable resources, including solar, wind and biomass.

“Producing biodiesel for UCSB is symbolic of our philosophy at Biodico to provide sustainable solutions that are economically viable, good for the environment, and support the needs of local communities,” said Russ Teall, president and founder of Biodico. “As an alumnus I am proud to say that UCSB serves as an excellent example of a forward-thinking institution that puts into practice what many of its environmental studies courses are teaching—that we need to find practical alternatives to fossil fuels.”

“Our relationship with Biodico is all about sustainability and closing the loop,” said Mark Rousseau, the energy and environmental manager of UCSB Housing, Dining & Auxiliary Enterprises. “The company takes our used cooking oil and returns it to us as biodiesel that powers our equipment to maintain the grounds at the university. Biodiesel is not only cleaner for the environment and nontoxic to store, but it reduces our fossil fuel purchases. This helps meet a UC-wide goal of carbon neutrality by 2025 since biodiesel is a low carbon intensity fuel.”

“We are thrilled to work with UCSB to help implement a program that is changing the narrative in how universities and other organizations utilize byproducts to create biofuel that is cost-effective and environmentally sound,” said JJ Rothgery, chairman of Biodico. “As Biodico’s ZNEF concept continues to gain traction, we look forward to implementing fully sustainable solutions in similar settings across the country.”

Biodico is a privately held company headquartered in Ventura, California, that builds, owns and operates sustainable biofuel and bioenergy facilities; conducts research and development with the U.S. Navy; and collaborates with strategic joint venture partners to commercialize new technology and initiatives. The company and its management have been pioneers in the industry for the past 23 years, with an emphasis on using advanced, patented and proprietary technologies for the sustainable, multifeedstock, modular production of next-generation biofuels and bioenergy.