Yale University is doing its part to support alternative energy sources and reduce America's dependence on foreign oil. For the past month or so, Yale has been running a shuttle bus that is 100% powered by cooking oil recycled from university dining halls. The magic bus made its debut during graduation ceremonies last month:

"Yale will run one if its shuttle buses at Commencement with biodiesel fuel made with cooking oil recycled from its dining halls, University officials have announced. The University has been operating the bus for the past month with a test blend of fuel that is 50 percent biodiesel. The bus will be run for the first time solely on biodiesel at the 2006 Commencement.

“The experiment with 100 percent biodiesel complements Yale’s use of alternative fuels in the rest of its shuttle fleet,” said Associate Vice President for Administration Janet Lindner. “The University has converted all of its shuttle buses to biodiesel, in a blend with ultra-low sulfur diesel, as part of its commitment to a greener campus and cleaner air. We have been making use of alternative fuel vehicles, such as hybrids, within our fleet and this month we began using alternative fuel in all Yale shuttle buses. These efforts will help promote a healthier environment for the New Haven community.”

What's cool is that the innovation originated with a Yale student who came up with the idea of running his car with vegetable oil. One thing led to another, and he soon found himself working side-by-side with a Yale research scientist at the campus chemistry lab to develop the alternative fuel solution. A big Boola Boola for Yale innovation!

Tags: Yale alternativeenergy biodiesel

[images: Yale]

(Author: unknown)