I don't think Propel will mind me copying
their blog post on what could be the coolest gas station ever.
Offering clean fuels to Washington’s busiest economic center, Propel is opening downtown’s first renewable fuel station, scheduled to open in June. The 9,000-square-foot biodiesel station resides on Westlake and Valley in Seattle’s South Lake Union neighborhood.
Propel’s South Lake Union station is environmentally sensitive in design, construction and operation.
1. Canopy and Cistern
The station’s canopy is designed to conserve water and reduce storm runoff into Lake Union. Rainwater is collected in a cistern neatly integrated into the canopy’s western column. This cistern provides a water source for foliage, while irrigating the feedstock planters with excess water via an underground pipe. In addition, the station’s canopy was constructed utilizing aluminum composite derived from 95% recycled materials. The canopy is also equipped with energy conserving LED lights with photocells that provide illumination only as needed.
2. Landscape Green Roof Technology
The station’s garden landscape uses resource-conserving green roof technology to collect excess water from the canopy and cistern. Constructed with 100% recycled materials, the system actively stores water irrigating the landscape as needed and reducing dependence on the city’s water supply. Collecting and filtering water with green roof technology helps prevent the spread of particulates into Seattle’s groundwater and into Lake Union. The resulting runoff is clean filtered water.
3. Feedstock Planters
These unique feedstock planters grow plants used in the domestic production of biodiesel. The clean fuel is derived from renewable resources like camelina, sunflower, soy and canola, examples of which can be found in the planters. Biodiesel is also produced from waste products including recycled restaurant grease and animal fats. Biodiesel is refined to be used any diesel vehicle with no conversion necessary.
4. Clean Fuel
Two 5,000 gallon above ground tanks are constructed with the highest safety and environmental standards. Utilizing state-of-the-art leak detection the double-wall tanks self contain potential spills. To guarantee a safe fueling environment the tanks are impact and ballistics proof, with advanced break away shut-off & emergency shut-off.
Want to check it out? They're holding an open house June 27 11:30am - 3:00pm with fare provided by
Skillet Street Food. Meet the Propel team, learn more about alternative fuels, and check out Seattle’s most sustainable fuel station.
