Volkswagen began its journey towards the second generation of biofuels
Volkswagen began its journey towards the second generation of biofuels with intent to significantly reduce gas emissions from vehicles and fuel consumption. The strategy of the mark in terms of fuel and propulsion technology, pointing to a line aimed at achieving more sustainable mobility without compromising the pleasure nor satisfaction with the conduct.
The second generation of biofuels presents substantial improvements regarding the first. The SunFuel, for example, is a synthetic liquid fuel from biomass using partially or totally wide range of plants as raw material and cellulose ethanol, which is obtained from the chaff.
If the first generation of biofuels such as biodiesel or bioethanol, are derived from the seed or the flower of some plants, the second generation, use the whole plant, as well as straw, hay and wood in the manufacturing process.
The process of converting biomass to liquid, for example, increasing agricultural production by a factor of 3, without prejudice production for food and other products.
Volkswagen is working on agricultural research projects for the cultivation of energy crops and developing new agricultural techniques to increase productivity to levels higher than first-generation biofuels.
The potential quantity of biomass is virtually unlimited: the steady growth of plants around the planet far exceeds the demand for primary energy. Accordingly, the second generation of biofuels could replace a substantial part of conventional fuels.
VW is working closely with other car manufacturers, universities, biotech companies and manufacturers of plant and equipment, as well as petrochemical, in developing new sources of fuel.
Due to the close cooperation established with Choren Industries GmbH and other partners, Volkswagen developed a synthetic diesel fuel, called SunFuel. In this case, when using biomass as basic material, virtually closes the carbon cycle and can reduce greenhouse gases by more than 90%.
The department of technology petrol engines from Volkswagen, is also working with IOG Corporation, a company based in Ottawa, whose process of development of bio-ethanol offers a high potential in reducing CO2.
Volkswagen is prepared to invest significantly in the development and industrialization of the production of biofuels in the world, but according to its executives is essential for this, supported by a clear and consistent regulatory framework in the form of a fiscal policy aimed at CO2, which provides long-term security, and that the model also takes into account additional criteria of sustainability, to define fuel tax.
VW estimates that fuels that are produced so synthetic, as SunFuel and cellulose ethanol, is a milestone in the search for new propulsion technologies, because they have innovative processes of internal combustion, which presents three benefits. Mejoran la eficiencia del motor, y reducen las emisiones y el consumo de combustible. They improve the efficiency of the engine, and reduce emissions and fuel consumption.
The innovative concept of engine, called Combined Combustion System, brings together the advantages of diesel technology (a better economy in fuel consumption and a higher engine) with those of gasoline engines (lower emissions and higher performance).
Currently the widespread dissemination of synthetic fuels is at an early stage, and while the second generation of biofuels is not available on the market, Volkswagen will focus on the fuel mix.
VW expected that by 2010 their engines can run either on traditional fossil fuels such as fuels with renewable resources, such as those from biomass.
Volkswagen begins road to the 2nd generation biofuels. Biofuel, biomass