Power from Renewable Liquid Fuels

Biodiesel and HVO

Rethink Your Fuel

Renewable Liquid Fuels for Cat^® Generators

What are Renewable Liquid Fuels?

Biodiesel and HVO are biofuels produced from renewable resources such as vegetable oils, including soybean oil, canola oil, and palm oil, as well as used cooking oils and animal fats. While the resources may vary globally, finished fuel specifications are independent of the feedstock.

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What is the Difference Between Biodiesel and HVO Fuel?

HVO and biodiesel are the two main renewable liquid fuels readily available for end users, but they have several differences:

	Biodiesel (FAME)	Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) (Renewable Diesel)
Source	Vegetable oils and fats	Vegetable oils and fats
Process	Transesterification	Hydrotreating
Chemistry
Product	Oxygenated, ester	Non-oxygenated, paraffin
Replacement for diesel?	Yes, with some cautions	Yes
Specifications	ASTM D6751, EN 14214, Cat Spec	EN 15940

Note that hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO)/renewable diesel (RD) is per diesel fuel specifications except for density. HVO has lower density than diesel fuels.
Biodiesel and HVO are sourced from the same feedstocks but differ in the processing and in the final product chemistry.
HVO can be used in both standby and prime applications, whereas biodiesel is better suited to prime applications.
Both fuels can be used “neat” or blended with conventional diesel to various percentages. Refer to Cat^® publications and/or your Cat dealer for acceptable blend levels.

What are the Benefits of HVO?

Running generators on HVO provides similar performance to running on diesel including similar rated power output, transient response, start-up time, and NOx emissions.
HVO fuel is a drop-in replacement for diesel.
HVO has a long shelf life and can be stored in hot and cold conditions.
Although HVO does not significantly reduce CO₂ emissions at the tailpipe, switching to HVO will reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions compared to diesel.
Lower visible smoke emissions when using biofuels.
HVO is available now and is easy to switch to.

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What are the Benefits of Biodiesel?

Running generators on biodiesel provides similar performance to running on diesel.
Lower visible smoke emissions when using biodiesel.
Although biodiesel does not significantly reduce CO₂ emissions at the tailpipe, switching to biodiesel will reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions compared to diesel.
Biodiesel is widely available and is easy to switch to.

Can Cat^® Generators Run on Biofuels?

Cat diesel generators can run on biofuels and have accommodated the use of biodiesel and HVO for over a decade. These fuels are available now, and your local Cat dealer can provide guidance and recommendations for switching to renewable liquid fuels.

View diesel generators page

Request a dealer consultation

In the News

Data Center Transitions to 100% HVO

Caterpillar announced LCL Brussels-West data center has commissioned a new 13.5 MVA standby power solution, making it the first data center in Belgium to operate exclusively on 100% hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) fuel.

view press release

Providing Sustainable Backup Power to Microsoft

Microsoft’s newest data centers in Sweden depend on Cat standby generators that can operate on renewable liquid fuel, supporting their sustainability goals and uptime commitments.

view press release

Cat^® Rental Power Solutions Deployed by Peterson Power Systems Surpass 8 Million Gallons in HVO Fuel Use

Customers using Cat rental power solutions supplied by Peterson Power Systems, the local Cat dealer in Northern California, Oregon and Southwest Washington, have generated power using more than 8 million gallons of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) since 2022.

view press release

Peterson Power Systems Surpass 8 Million Gallons in HVO Fuel Use

Testimonials

LCL Data Centers Fuels Standby Power System With HVO, A Renewable Alternative To Diesel

LCL Data Centers has grown quickly, with five independent locations serving customers across Belgium. With a deep commitment to sustainability, LCL aims to generate 40% of its energy from its own green power sources by 2030. Working with Cat dealer Eneria, LCL chose to install a new Cat standby power solution consisting of six diesel generator sets operating exclusively on 100% hydrotreated vegetable oil.

White Papers

Interested in finding out the difference of running on HVO instead of diesel fuel? Click on any of the white papers below.

4000 kVA, 50 Hz Generator Set: Diesel & HVO Test
Learn More

View

Renewable and Alternative Fuels For Use in Diesel Engines
view white paper

View

3,000 ekW, 60 Hz Generator Set: Diesel & HVO Test
view white paper

View

Considerations for Use of Renewable Liquid Fuels

There is a difference in applicability of biodiesel and HVO for prime and standby power:

Power	Biodiesel	HVO
Prime, Continuous	Blend levels per Caterpillar guidance	Any blend level with diesel
Standby	B5 Maximum blend level	Any blend level with diesel

The differences in applicability of biodiesel and HVO in standby power applications are due to the nature of the fuels. Biodiesel can age with storage and degrade in quality as it ages. As such, it does not support use in standby power applications and, particularly emergency generator applications.

Generator engines fueled by renewable liquid fuels have similar performance to those fueled with conventional diesel but may experience a small decrease in maximum power output. Fuel consumption may also increase due to the potentially lower energy content of the specific renewable fuel being used. The cold temperature properties of both HVO and biodiesel need to be appropriate for the ambient environment of the generator. Your local Cat dealer can talk you through any adaptations that may need to be made to your installation.

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Some regions or municipalities, particularly where mandates for renewable fuel use exist, may have abundant availability of biodiesel and of HVO. Other areas may not, which can mean fuels need to be transported to the location if needed. Transport over long distances may reduce the positive environmental impact of these fuels.

Only purchase biodiesel and HVO fuels from reputable dealers selling commercial grade fuels that meet the relevant specifications.

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The price of biodiesel blends varies depending on geographic area, base material (corn, soybeans, etc.), supplier, and government tax and other incentives. Although renewable liquid fuels can cost more than petroleum diesel, diesel generator set owners can transition to these fuels without purchasing new engines. In the case of fleets, managers can transition to renewable liquid fuels without acquiring new spare parts inventories.

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Detailed guidance on the use of renewable liquid fuels exists, and users should be aware of the differences in the maintenance requirements associated with them compared to diesel fuels and each other.

When switching from diesel fuel to biodiesel for the first time, shorter maintenance intervals are recommended with focus on fuel filters, hoses, pumps, and seals. Always consult your local Cat dealer for guidance and information relating to new or existing equipment.

HVO fuels have similar aging properties to diesel. Biodiesel, however, has a shorter shelf life due to its composition. Shelf life is based on the blend level.

Contamination control measures are critical for application of any fuel, diesel or renewable. Fuels must be protected from water and dirt.

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Specifications & Standards

Biodiesel is registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and is legal for use at any blend level in both highway and nonroad diesel engines. In the U.S., the applicable blending specification for B100 is ASTM D6751. B20 blend specifications in the US are ASTM D7467.

European fuel standard EN 14214 ensures that biodiesel is suitable for even the most modern engines. EN 16709 describes B20 and B30 biodiesel blends.

HVO fuels must be per EU 15940 specification. HVO fuels also satisfy the diesel fuels specifications ASTM D975 and EN 590, except for density.

Only purchase biodiesel and HVO fuels from reputable dealers selling commercial grade biodiesel.

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Resources

National Renewable Energy Lab Guide

View Guide

Operation and Maintenance Manual

Cat Commercial Diesel Engine Fluids Recommendations

View Manual

Cat Machine Fluids Recommendations

View Manual

FAQs

Want to discover if renewable liquid fuels might be a solution for your power system? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions document featuring information on the use of renewable liquid fuels, primarily HVO and biodiesel, in the Cat 3500 and C175 series generator sets.

FIND ANSWERS

Webinar: Alternative Fuels for Electric Power generator sets

The most common fuels used to power generator sets are diesel and natural gas, but did you know there are other options? Engines to power generator sets are available in a wide range of configurations, capable of burning a broad spectrum of fuels. Participants will gain an understanding of what other fuel options exist and what an owner/operator would need to know before using them.

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Alternative Fuels for Electric Power generator sets

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Power from Renewable Liquid Fuels

Rethink Your Fuel

What are Renewable Liquid Fuels?

What is the Difference Between Biodiesel and HVO Fuel?

What are the Benefits of HVO?

What are the Benefits of Biodiesel?

Can Cat® Generators Run on Biofuels?

Request a dealer consultation

In the News

Data Center Transitions to 100% HVO

Providing Sustainable Backup Power to Microsoft

Cat® Rental Power Solutions Deployed by Peterson Power Systems Surpass 8 Million Gallons in HVO Fuel Use

Testimonials

LCL Data Centers Fuels Standby Power System With HVO, A Renewable Alternative To Diesel

White Papers

4000 kVA, 50 Hz Generator Set: Diesel & HVO Test

Renewable and Alternative Fuels For Use in Diesel Engines

3,000 ekW, 60 Hz Generator Set: Diesel & HVO Test

Considerations for Use of Renewable Liquid Fuels

Application

Performance

Availability

Affordability

Maintenance

Specifications & Standards

Resources

National Renewable Energy Lab Guide

Operation and Maintenance Manual

Cat Machine Fluids Recommendations

FAQs

Webinar: Alternative Fuels for Electric Power generator sets

Industries Served

Sustainability

View Diesel Generator Sets

Rental Power

Cat GC Models and Technical Information

Product Support

Service Agreements (Cat CVA)

Extended Protection

Genuine Cat Parts

Warranty Registration

Explore Product Support

What to Expect From Your Cat Dealer

Contact a Dealer

Cat Connect for Electric Power

Brochures and Testimonials

Generator Set Sizing Calculators

Cat Dealers Make the Difference

Electric Power Newsletter

Electric Power News

Can Cat^® Generators Run on Biofuels?

Cat^® Rental Power Solutions Deployed by Peterson Power Systems Surpass 8 Million Gallons in HVO Fuel Use