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Biocombustível fundamental para descarbonização. Revolucionou setores como mineração, vegetal e ecológico, reduzindo pegada de carbono em transição energética. Polui-pouco, opções portfólio, reduzir emissões. Produzido de vegetais, caminhão fora de estrada, biocombustíveis. Ajudou em planos reduzir-pegada-carbono, descarbonizar-investimentos.
Em 5 de julho de 1979, Betim, Minas Gerais, foi palco do lançamento histórico do primeiro carro a etanol produzido em série pela montadora italiana Fiat. Conhecido como Cachacinha devido ao aroma dos gases de escape, o modelo 147 marcou o início de uma nova era no setor automotivo. A utilização do etanol como combustível representou não apenas uma solução criativa em resposta à crise do petróleo de 1973, mas também um passo significativo em direção a alternativas mais sustentáveis e eficientes.
Esse marco na indústria automobilística brasileira não apenas introduziu o etanol como um biocombustível viável, mas também destacou o potencial do combustível vegetal como uma alternativa promissora aos derivados de petróleo. A ascensão do etanol como uma opção de energia renovável trouxe consigo benefícios ambientais e econômicos, moldando o cenário da mobilidade e evidenciando a importância da inovação sustentável. A trajetória do etanol como biocombustível é um exemplo inspirador de como a criatividade e a engenhosidade podem impulsionar a evolução da indústria automotiva.
Revolutionizing the Energy Transition with Ethanol
Passing 45 years, the alcohol, now renamed ethanol, among other advances, has lost the smell of ‘pinga’ and, since 2010, also fuels larger vehicles – not just passenger cars. But above all, the biofuel proves to be a key player in the energy transition. Produced from vegetables such as sugarcane, corn, beetroot, and cassava, ethanol pollutes much less than fossil fuels. Now, the biofuel promises to reduce the ecological footprint even of very heavy trucks, consumers of large quantities of diesel.
Ethanol-Powered Off-Road Trucks: A Sustainable Solution
The mining company Vale has just announced a partnership with the Japanese automaker Komatsu and the American engine manufacturer Cummins to develop and test the so-called off-road trucks powered by biofuels – a mixture composed of 70% ethanol. Gigantic, with the capacity to carry up to 290 tons of material, these vehicles are essential for operations in mines. Only in Brazil, the company has 450 off-road trucks – 80 of them from Komatsu. ‘It is equivalent to 34 thousand passenger vehicles,’ says Ludmila Nascimento, director of energy and decarbonization at Vale, in an interview with NeoFeed. Fueled exclusively with diesel, the fleet accounts for up to 15% of the greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) of the mining company.
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Exploring Ethanol-Diesel Blends for Emission Reduction
The company is also studying the feasibility of the ethanol and diesel blend in a collaboration agreement with the American automaker Caterpillar. The expectation is that, with the biofuel, the reduction in direct CO2 emissions could be up to 70%. If everything goes as planned, Vale’s off-road trucks will be the first of their kind in the world to run on ethanol in the tank, according to the company. In addition to research with biofuel, the partnership with Caterpillar also includes the development of battery-powered off-road trucks. ‘We are developing a portfolio of options to decarbonize Vale’s operations,’ says Ludmila. ‘The most viable solutions will be adopted.’ In 2020, the mining company announced investments between US$ 4 billion and US$ 6 billion to reduce direct and indirect emissions (scopes 1 and 2) by 33% by 2030. The use of biofuels is among the company’s priorities.
Greening the Future with Ethanol: A Sustainable Investment
Facing the potential of ethanol, it is natural that the demand for the product increases. Valued at US$ 87.71 billion in 2022, the global biofuel market is expected to reach US$ 135 billion in the next six years, evolving at a compound annual growth rate of 5.6%, according to analysts at Fortune Business Insights. After the United States, Brazil is the world’s largest producer. With a well-established large-scale production and a well-structured distribution network, the Brazilian experience puts the country in a prominent position towards a sustainable future. We are already leaders, for example, in the production of second-generation ethanol, E2G – also known as green ethanol, cellulosic ethanol, or bioethanol. In partnership with the
Fonte: @ NEO FEED
