Korean students learn to make biodiesel

Fourth graders in Seoul, South Korea, have been learning how to make biodiesel at a bio-energy farm run by the Gangdong-gu office in Eastern Seoul, according to the Korea Times.

The workshop on renewable energy saw students from Seoul Hansan Elementary School taking turns to stir canola oil mixed with a catalyst and methyl alcohol in a beaker to make biodiesel.

Another part of the trip saw students go to the farm to see sunflower plants grow, a crucial ingredient in biofuel production, Korea Times reports.

First opened in 2010, Gangdong district’s bioenergy farm has become a specialist in renewable energy education and its promotion. The farm and its workshop station is the only one of its kind in the city of Seoul.

“We believe bioenergy is our future and educating children about it is very important,” Lee Sun-ho, head of the district’s environmental affairs division, told the Korea Times.

Korea’s government is currently pushing to increase the amount of biodiesel in fuel sold at fuel stations from 2.5% up to 3%. According to the Korea Times, citing the Korean Bioenergy Association, these attempts are facing strong resistance from the oil industry.

Gangdong supports the biodiesel policy. In 2006, it required district-owned vehicles and trash trucks to run on biodiesel with a 20% mix. In 2010, the government opened a biodiesel-only fuel station.