Green fuel for Porsche sports cars: details of the project
In order to achieve zero carbon emissions, many car companies are devoting money and energy to the development of electric cars, and reducing the production of vehicles powered by traditional energy sources. German carmaker Porsche has decided to help with the environmental problem in a different way. It has invested $24 million in green fuel. The new raw material should become a substitute for conventional gasoline.
According to the representatives of Porsche, the development of e-fuel will allow continuing production of cars with internal combustion engines, but at the same time it will not harm the environment. The distinctive feature of the German manufacturer is sports cars with turbocharged or high-rpm engines. Such a car is synonymous with speed and power, and so far it is impossible to replace such a model as the Porsche 911 with an electric car. That is why it was decided to develop a new type of fuel that could provide full operation of the internal combustion engine, but would also be environmentally friendly.
Green fuel is made from renewable energy sources. It can be used for cars with traditional engines, as well as for hybrids. Such feedstock can serve as an analogue of gasoline or diesel fuel, but at the same time it does not harm the environment.
Another advantage of e-fuel is that it is fully compatible with the infrastructure that is used for standard raw materials for cars. This will save money for the construction of facilities and for the maintenance of vehicles, such as is necessary for the operation of electric cars.
Porsche has joined forces with a number of major companies, including Siemens Energy, to create the new raw materials. In addition, Italy’s Enel Corporation is cooperating with the German concern. It will take over the wind power and electrolysis processes. The partners plan to build a plant to produce green fuel. The enterprise will be the first commercial facility in the world in this area. The main buyer of raw materials will be Porsche.
The plan is to produce 130,000 liters of fuel by 2022, and by 2024 to increase volumes to 55 million liters annually, and up to 550 million liters by 2026.
This feedstock is based on MTG technology, which turns methanol into gasoline. In turn, methanol is produced by using hydrogen, which requires renewable energy sources, in this case wind farms.
The German government supported this project and gave Siemens Energy 8 million euros for the development of the technology. The authorities note the prospects of such production, which in the future will help to refuse from energy carriers, which are detrimental to the environment. It should be noted that Germany actively supports similar initiatives aimed at the development of alternative energy and its products.
