NOAA's Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (Ann Arbor, MI)

Department of Commerce

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory set a goal to minimize the use of petroleum products onboard its research ships and demonstrate the operational benefits of bio-products in marine applications. This project introduced soy biodiesel at 100% for ship propulsion and generators—a significant advancement in alternative diesel fuels that typically were based upon a 20% blend of soy oil with petroleum oil.

The project was then expanded to replace all petroleum lubricants, hydraulic, transmission, and motor oils with products formulated from renewable stock such as canola and soy oils. In August of 2005 the Huron Explorer, serving the National Marine Sanctuary at Thunder Bay, became the first U.S. research vessel to operate free of petroleum products, demonstrating NOAA’s commitment to the marine environment.