Biofuel, an alternative to domestic fuel oil, will be available everywhere in France

After more than four years of collaborative work carried out under the impetus of the French Federation of Combustibles, Fuels & Heating (FF3C) and as provided for by the decree of January 5, 2022 – according to which new boiler-type equipment is authorized to operate exclusively with a liquid biofuel such as biofuel[1] – biofuel F30 will supply all new boilers from the 2022-2023 heating season (installed on the basis of an estimate committed from July 1, 2022).

Indeed, with the entry into force on July 1st of Decree No. 2022-8 relating to the environmental performance of heating or domestic hot water production equipment, the installation of equipment primarily using fuel emitting more than 300 g CO2eq/kWh PCI throughout its life cycle is no longer allowed:

• The installation of new boilers using liquid fuel[2] is still authorized provided that F30 biofuel is used, the level of emissions of which throughout the life cycle is less than 300g CO2eq/kWh NCV. About fifty Biofioul F30 biocompatible equipment references are already available.
• Boilers currently in service and installed according to quotes signed until June 30, 2022 can continue to operate with traditional domestic fuel oil (limited to 7% renewable energy according to current specifications).
• Boilers currently in service can also run on F30 biofuel, provided they are adapted to ensure the biocompatibility of the equipment.

Consequently, if traditional fuel oil can continue to be used by more than 3 million main residences using this storable energy, all new installations must now operate with F30 biofuel oil, which meets the emission ceiling requirement of 300 g CO2eq/kWh PCI fixed by the decree.

From F30 biofuel in 2022 to F55 in 2028

The distribution of F30 biofuel will begin within a few days, with the imminent publication of a ministerial order[3] “relating to the characteristics of F30 domestic fuel oil”, authorizing its marketing. It will rely on a distribution network that is already in working order to serve the users concerned throughout the territory. More than 300 points of sale covering all departments of France are thus involved in the marketing of biofuel F30. Their list will be accessible as soon as the order is published on the website www.biofuel.info.

The market launch of F30 biofuel is accompanied by ambitious development prospects: biofuel is intended to gradually become widespread, with the launch in 2028 of “F55” biofuel containing more than 50% renewable energy. A European approach which is in line with the 2050 roadmap for inclusive and sustainable low-carbon heating for rural and off-grid areas, announced on September 9, 2022 by Eurofuel, association of European players in fuel oil and liquid fuels for domestic heating.

Consumers convinced by biofuel but concerned about their energy budget

Un survey was carried out by Opinion Way in July 2022 with fuel oil users in order to collect their opinion on their current heating method and their interest in a liquid biofuel for heating. Among the main lessons of this survey, marked by the context of the energy crisis and inflation:

• 96% of respondents find oil heating efficient and providing comfortable warmth.
• 61% want to keep their heating method; 27% are considering a change in the next 2 to 5 years.
• More than 80% would be ready to opt for biofuel to replace domestic fuel oil and 51% could have their boiler adapted now, by changing the burner, to be able to use F30 biofuel. But in the current context of inflation, only 38% of fuel users say they are ready to pay more for their energy.
• The prospects for the development of biofuel are attractive: 67% of domestic fuel users declare that they are ready to use the various products which will be put on the market in the years to come (F55 then F100).

For Eric Layly, President of the FF3C:

“The decree of January 5th signing the birth of F30 biofuel and the ministerial decree authorizing its marketing mark the culmination of long collective work by an entire sector – manufacturers of heating equipment, farmers producing oilseed rape, installers, producers and energy distributors.”

“This work, carried out in conjunction with State services, has a strong ambition on the environmental level, taking into account both the free choice and the constraints of consumers in peri-urban and rural areas. »

“Today, the sector is fully ready for the new heating season and fully capable of delivering F30 biofuel as well as continuing to distribute traditional fuel oil as normal. »

For Frédéric Plan, General Delegate of the FF3C:

“The arrival of biofuel is a concrete and immediately available solution to accelerate the end of traditional domestic fuel oil. Still, to encourage the French to turn to biofuel, taxation must make it attractive. »

“Indeed, the boilers currently in service can be adapted to the use of biofuel, particularly when changing the burner. This is an opportunity to go faster and further on the front of the decarbonization of oil heating. And it is up to the legislator to take the initiative. »

“While the 25 to 30% saving in consumption of a new high energy performance boiler makes it possible to eliminate the additional cost linked to the use of biofuel, this is not the case for existing boilers, the lifespan of which exceeds 25 years old. »

Biofuel, energy for the regions

Biofuel is a storable liquid energy, composed partly of renewable energy, primarily in the form of rapeseed methyl ester (EMC). The choice of rapeseed is due to the many advantages of this plant, of which France is one of the leading producers in Europe: 100.000 farmers grow rapeseed throughout the country. Its seed, made up of equivalent parts of oil (notably recovered as biofuel) and protein-rich material (notably recovered for animal feed), offers promising and complementary responses to the challenges of agri-food, energy and environmental transitions, including that of France's protein sovereignty.

Domestic fuel oil, the 3rd heating energy in France

Domestic fuel oil is the 3rd heating energy in France. It equips more than 3,5 million homes, including 3,1 million main residences, out of a total of 29,8 million, i.e. 12% of the stock, mainly in rural and peri-urban areas where heating networks or gas often do not serve (sources Ceren and Ademe, 2017). In France, 25.000 municipalities out of a total of 35.000 are not connected to the gas networks, which represents, throughout the territory, 13,4 million French people and 20% of the French population (sources GRDF and Insee, 2018 ).

[1] https://www.ecologie.gouv.fr/gouvernement-adopte-decret-limiter-emissions-gaz-effet-serre-des-nouveaux-equipements-chauffage

[2] The AFNOR standard published on May 11, 2022 determines the characteristics of this new liquid biofuel: https://norminfo.afnor.org/norme/xp-m15-040/combustibles-liquides-fiouls-domestiques-f30-exigences-et-methodes-dessai/200017

[3] The energy code conditions the placing on the market of any energy product on a ministerial decree whose publication is imminent.