Bermuda's obesity epidemic could have an upside after all — with plans to turn cooking oil from all those greasy fries into "green" biodiesel fuel for vehicles.

Stephen (Stavros) Walsh, of Bermuda Biodiesel Ltd, wants to forge partnerships with local restaurants as he works on plans for a production plant to open early next year.

Giving a presentation on the project this week at the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (BIOS), Mr. Walsh explained that arteries are not the only things that get clogged by cooking fat — the Tynes Bay Incinerator has trouble too.

"It's unbelievable the amount of the stuff that gets picked up by the Corporation of Hamilton. There's 420 restaurants, not including private clubs. Tynes Bay has a problem.

"They get immense heat from the oil but when it burns it mixes with the ash and it clogs the grate. It then has to be closed for someone to go in and hammer out the grate," he explained.

Bermuda Biodiesel has commissioned a plant in St. David's, which Mr. Walsh hopes will be up and running by February 2009. At first, it will aim to produce 500,000 gallons per year but plans to increase production later.

The plan is the culmination of ten years of experimentation and homework.

A batch of oil from the pilot project was sent overseas for testing for the first time last month, with positive results.

Mr. Walsh is confident that the plant will be able to produce fuel that meets the strict standards of the American Society for Testing and Materials, which insure engine manufacturers' warranties.

Meanwhile he hopes his presentation on Thursday — part of a series of community meetings on energy hosted by the Ministry of Energy, Telecommunications and E-Commerce — will get the Government to take his plans seriously.

The benefits are much wider than solving a problem at the incinerator. According to Mr. Walsh, biodiesel is cleaner than fossil fuel, resulting in lower emissions. It is safer due to a higher flashpoint, biodegradeable, non-toxic and has good lubrication properties which help engines last longer.

Once certified, it can be used without problems in engines manufactured since 1994, although some older models may require modifications.

Above all, it could be good news for motorists amid ever-rocketing fuel prices. Mr. Walsh hopes the eventual price at the pump will be two thirds of the price of regular diesel.

Converting the cooking oil involves various stages including heating it to 94C, adding methanol and sodium hydroxide and letting the solution stand for an hour.

The oil floats to the top and glycerol settles on the bottom. The glycerol can then be used as a base for soap products.

Mr. Walsh is keen to hear from restaurants to get an idea of how much oil they get through.

That will enable him to figure out how many trucks he will need to pick it up — he estimates at the moment that around 20 drivers will be needed.

In order to "complete the loop", his plans include offering fuel to those restaurants at just over cost price, in return for them supplying their used oil.

Restaurants interested in giving feedback can complete a form available on the company's website http://bdabiodiesel.com.

A second presentation saw Gerry Plumley of BIOS explain how scientists there are also looking at algae as a means to produce biofuel. Algae can be grown in fresh or salt water, in ponds, vertical containers and even on rooftops.

The BIOS project is currently testing different types to see how they might work, and how much the fuel would cost to produce in Bermuda.

However, the problem of space will need to be solved. At present, Belco burns one million barrels of oil per year, which would need between 3.3 and 13 square miles of space to grow the algae required, depending on yields.

The BIOS team is looking at developing new strains of algae and employing genetic testing and manipulation under strict guidelines to break the current ceiling of 20,000 gallons per acre per year.

Another alternative could be farming the algae in the ocean, if an environmentally safe way could be established to do this, explained Dr. Plumley, who believes Bermuda could meet its future energy needs by a combination of wind power, solar-electric power and conservation.

The lecture at BIOS was the third in the series of community meetings.

Six further events, covering topics including solar power and wind power, are being planned for the coming months, with details to be posted on www.gov.bm once they are finalised.

The process will eventually result in a Government consultation document on energy strategy.