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Feul Oil
Extra light fuel oil (0.10% max sulphur content)
This is a convenient fuel oil that conforms to all requirements of anti-pollution bylaws. Its main specifications are comparable to DIN (German Industrial Regulations) regulated fuel.
This is the recommended quality for conventional heating systems (without Low-Nox burners) and for Low-Nox type burners with over 50kW power.
Eco-friendly fuel oil (0.005% max sulphur content)
This is a slightly pricier quality, normally referred to as quality CH.
Compared to the Euro quality, the Eco-oil features a lower sulphur content and it guarantees a maximum level of nitrogen of 100mg/kg. Further characteristics of this quality are a better behaviour at cold temperatures and a more limited density.
Thanks to their qualitative characteristics, eco-oils offer distinctive advantages to heating systems of both large and small capacity (air hygiene, environmental protection). Their use is especially recommended for systems using Low-Nox burners (with combustion poor of harmful substances) with a capacity of less than 50kW; this means the heating of single-family homes or small many-families homes where the use of traditional fuel could be problematic.
Safety
Oils for heating do not explode. It is reassuring to know that thanks to the tank in the garden or in the cellar the chances of ending up cold are low. No other energy giving agent can be stored in such a simple and safe way, in a small space and in such high quantities. This ensures incomparable independence as far as the individual energy supplies are concerned.
Oil guarantees energy for generations
Our country is well stocked with oil reserves. The two indigenous refineries provide about 1/3 of the internal oil demand whilst the remaining 2/3 are imported into Switzerland from European refineries. In order to ensure the national supply of oil, Switzerland has a compulsory stock that can cater for oil demand for a period of 4-5 months. Together with merchants’ stocks and consumers’ supplies, the entire stock in the country can cater for our oil demand for over a year.
A source of energy that is also liked by the environment
Manufacturers of oil-based heating systems are constantly developing more efficient combustion systems. Indeed, oil-based combustion systems are at the leading edge of technology. However, an improved air quality does not depend only on the choice of the burner but also on the quality of the fuel.
A convenient energy vector
The cost of heating oil is subject to the free market rule and it is not fixed via a tariff as it still generally happens with electricity and gas. For years, fuel oils have been by far the cheaper form of energy (see graph). This is to the advantage of both home-owners and tenants.
Oil-based heating is the best solution in terms of:
- Economy
- Eco-compatibility
- Reliability of supply
(source: Centro informazione per l'Olio Combustibile - Information Centre for Fuel Oils)
Price trends for fuel oils
Average weekly price for 3000l, VAT included, Mendrisiotto area (without guarantee)
Price comparison for heating energies
in Fr./100l
1kg fuel oil = 11.86kWh
1l fuel oil = 10 kWh Pci
1l fuel oil = 10.6kWh Pcs
From 1.1.2005, calculations based on Pcs
Source: Swiss index of consumer prices
Fuel oil conversion in ct./kWh according to the Oil Union
The fight for oil
Nell'industria petrolifera globale le società internazionali sono confrontate con la concorrenza dei produttori di petrolio nazionalizzati. Questi nuovi operatori non soggiacciono alle aspettative di reddito come le altre società di capitale. La loro motivazione é un'altra. L'obiettivo principe l'approvvigionamento delle loro economie e non il realizzo di utili per gli azionisti. Ciò li porta immancabilmente a offrire prezzi più elevanti rispetto alle vere società di capitale. Lo spostamento delle forze fa oscillare il pendolo di nuovo a favore dei paesi proprietari dei giacimenti di petrolio. Soprattutto i paesi del Medio Oriente con il 63.3% delle riserve mondiali di petrolio acquisiscono a fronte della sete di energia del continente asiatico un rafforzamento delle loro posizioni di contrattazione. Questa sete di energia quantificata fino al 2020 ad un aumento del 150% per la Cina e a 100% per l'India. Le conseguenze di questa situazione sono accresciute tensioni politiche e la valorizzazione delle energie alternative: Biodiesel, Etanolo, energia solare/eolica ma soprattutto dell'energia atomica. Non é a caso che USA e Cina abbiano lanciato la pianificazione di nuove centrali atomiche. Le probabilità che il prezzo del greggio scenda sono minime, al contrario un suo aumento ulteriore (p.es. a 100 USD) non può essere più escluso. In molte province cinesi le fabbriche sono confrontate a black-out energetici sia d'estate (condizionatori) che d'inverno (riscaldamento). I tassi di crescita economica di Cina e India devono rimanere alti per garantire la coesione del paese e senza petrolio ciò non é possibile: in Asia la crescita é ancora in modo preponderante quantitativa. Lo sviluppo economico europeo, benchè molto si sia fatto per non dipendere troppo dal petrolio, alla lunga ne risentirà.
Dr. Emanuele Centonze
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