Nestled within the idyllic charm of Ames, Iowa, lies a city with a bustling population exceeding 65,000, offering urban amenities within a small-town atmosphere. Dedicated to fostering a resilient and sustainable community, the City of Ames embarked on a transformative journey to reduce carbon emissions through innovative partnerships and technological advancements.

In response to the Ames City Council's call for sustainable practices, Chevron Renewable Energy Group (CREG) and Optimus Technologies presented the City with an opportunity to collaborate in a pioneering 100% Biodiesel (B100) Pilot Program. In September of 2019, City Council and City staff completed an in-depth feasibility and impact study for various alternative fuel initiatives, including the proposed B100 Pilot Program. The study’s findings resulted in the City Council voting unanimously in favor of launching the B100 Pilot Program. The City's Fleet Services and Public Works departments spearheaded the initiative, aligning with the City Council's vision for a greener future.

Central to the B100 Pilot Program was the deployment of Optimus Technologies’ Vector System, an advanced fuel management technology that facilitates the seamless operation of diesel engines using B100. This innovative system mitigated cold temperature fuel gelling, engine oil dilution, injector deposits, DPF regeneration issues, and seasonal blending changes, all associated with higher biodiesel blends. The Vector System’s integration enabled real-time monitoring of performance, emissions, and fuel optimization, thereby enhancing operational efficiency without driver intervention. Years of R&D produced a durable, extremely reliable Vector System. Designed with non-stop work as a premise for success, the Vector System ensured using B100 wouldn’t prevent the successful completion of crucial jobs like snow removal operations, where consecutive 24-hour workdays in subzero temperatures are required for the equipment.

The City of Ames is in the U.S. north-central region, with warm summers and cold winters. The City’s existing heavy-duty snowplow trucks were the ideal candidates for the B100 Program. The City’s snowplow fleet consumes 30% or more of the City’s total annual diesel consumption, and the lion’s share of that 30% occurs during the coldest months of the year when high biodiesel blends are impractical. Of key importance for determining the outcome of the program was benchmarking the years of data collected from the candidate trucks prior to the start of the program. Comparing the trucks’ pre and post-program data would clearly show how effective the B100 Program really was.

Ames put five Vector-equipped trucks into service in January of 2020. In July of 2021, the B100 Program had operated for 18 months and through two full winters. Program data showed that integrating the Vector System and using B100 fuel had significantly reduced the carbon emissions from the program trucks. When the 18-month program data was compared to pre-program data, three important details were revealed: 1) the trucks operated virtually the same as before, 2) the program trucks averaged over 85% biodiesel consumption in lieu of the 8% average using a B20 program, and 3) no work time was lost associated with using B100 and the Vector System.

Initiating the use of B100 required securing a supply of fuel and infrastructure for storing and dispensing fuel. The Vector System required minimal upgrading of the City’s existing trucks, eliminating the need for costly conversions or the purchase of new trucks altogether. Maintenance and repair facility upgrades were not required for B100 implementation, and technicians were able to perform maintenance and repair to the Vector System without special tools or training. For the City’s heavy-duty diesel truck application, the B100 Pilot implementation time, vehicle cost, infrastructure cost per vehicle, fuel cost, tooling, and training time were all favorably lower, and SCOPE 3 carbon mitigation was shown to be better than available alternative initiatives.

Encouraged by the program's success, the Ames City Council expanded the B100 program to the entire snowplow fleet and the City’s new truck acquisitions, further solidifying Ames' commitment to sustainability. Ames successfully offsets approximately 200 metric tons of carbon annually across 11 trucks, demonstrating the efficacy of biodiesel in severe-duty applications, even during Iowa's harsh winters. By utilizing locally produced fuel, the City not only prioritized environmental stewardship but also bolstered the regional economy. With concrete data showcasing emission reductions, Ames has emerged as a trailblazer in sustainability, setting a precedent for municipalities nationwide.

• Implementing the Vector System to deploy B100 in new or existing medium and heavy-duty trucks is fiscally and environmentally responsible and can be implemented quickly into today’s fleets.
• The City of Ames entered a unique partnership with Chevron Renewable Energy Group and Optimus Technologies to pilot a project of discovery, accurately record the results, and share those results, exemplifying global leadership in a changing climate.
• The B100 Pilot Program charted a clear path for the City of Ames to reach strict environmental goals within a practical budget by committing to B100 and systems from Optimus Technologies integrated into heavy-duty truck acquisitions.

"Optimus has been instrumental in meeting our sustainability objectives, providing responsive support and reliable technology that seamlessly integrates into our operations. Biodiesel has enabled the City of Ames to achieve remarkable sustainability outcomes within the framework of our municipal budgetary constraints." - Rich Iverson, Fleet Director, City of Ames

Ames, Iowa, stands as a beacon of sustainability, leveraging innovative partnerships, biodiesel, and cutting-edge technology to reduce carbon emissions and foster environmental stewardship. With unwavering commitment and data-driven strategies, the City paves the way for a greener, more sustainable future, inspiring communities worldwide to follow suit.