IEA Bioenergy Task 37 - March Newsletter
Published Fri 20 Mar 2020
Norwegian city rolls out biogas, biodiesel buses to reduce carbon footprint
The third largest city in Norway, Trondheim, has been operating almost 200 MAN Lion’s City buses fueled with either biogas or biodiesel. The 189 green buses from MAN Truck & Bus offer an efficient and clean solution for inner-city traffic in the Norwegian city. The new buses have been in operation since the start of August; MAN Truck & Bus delivered 105 city buses to Vy Buss, with a further 84 delivered to Tide Buss. MAN Lion’s City (A21) solo buses measure 12m in length and feature an E2876 LUH Euro 6 gas engine, which can be fueled with natural gas or biogas. The order also included the delivery of two variants of the 18m-long MAN Lion’s City G (A23) articulated bus – one with a D2066 LUH biodiesel/diesel engine, and one with an E2876 LUH gas engine.
Best greenhouse gas balance through biomethane cars
A study by the German car association (ADAC) has examined the most common types of propulsion currently available with regard to their greenhouse gas balance. The study concludes that electric cars perform best when 100% green electricity is used. If, however, the current (German) electricity mix is used, natural gas passenger cars show the best greenhouse gas balance. The balance of natural gas passenger cars is significantly improved by the use of biomethane. Electric cars are currently only better than gasoline cars after eight years and better than diesel cars after 14 years. The natural gas cars with 15 percent biomethane have the best GHG balance. (in German only)
Biomethane cars the best transportation option to preserve air quality
The decarbonisation of transport is a major concern to limit the environmental and climate impact of the sector. The European Environmental Agency (EEA) has warned against the increase of CO2 emissions of new passenger cars since 2017 and recalls that the transport sector remains a significant source of air pollution. A recent study of IFPEN shows that the biogas sector is part of the solution to reach climate-neutrality in transportation. The study, conducted by IFP Energies Nouvelles in France, reveals that light vehicles running on biomethane are better for the climate than other technologies. The study compares the carbon footprint of the entire life cycle of compressed natural gas (CNG) and biomethane vehicles to that of diesel, gasoline and electric vehicles and it concludes that biomethane is the best transportation option to preserve air quality. (in French only)
1,400 tons of CO2 emissions saved by UK biomethane HDV
A United Kingdom research project assessing the viability of biomethane in heavy duty vehicles (HDVs) saved more than 1,400 tons of well-to-wheel (WTW) carbon dioxide equivalent emissions compared to diesel in a two-year trial. The ‘Dedicated to Gas’ project deployed 20 Euro VI vehicles running on biomethane as a combination of compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG) trucks to three fleet operators: Howard Tenens, ASDA and Kuehne + Nagel. The project was partly funded by the Office for Low Emission Vehicles and Innovate UK’s Low Emission Freight and Logistics Trial (LEFT) in partnership with Cenex, Air Liquide, Emissions Analytics and Microlise. During the trial, vehicles travelled over 2.2 million kilometers, saving more than 1,400 tones of WTW CO2e, equivalent to driving 56 times around the globe and saving 3,150 trees, which could be enough trees to cover 18 football pitches. The project results revealed that, when compared to diesel, vehicles would save at least 17% in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions with a 25% biomethane blend (B25) and 100% biomethane (B100) yields savings of at least 76%. According to low-emission vehicle research organisation Cenex, this is the first UK study to assess the performance of in-service and tested vehicles that are all Euro VI factory-fitted OEM gas vehicles. Additionally, trial drivers reported that gas-fueled vehicles performed better than diesel when considering engine noise, vibration, overall drive comfort and engine braking. HGVs account for approximately 17% of UK GHG emissions from road transport. Gas vehicles fueled by biomethane can offer a ‘strong contribution’ to the UK’s 2050 net-zero target.
Tartu Buses are running on biomethane
From the start of 2020, buses in Tartu have been biomethane powered, making Estonia’s second largest city one of a few in Europe where the entire public transport system has been converted to run entirely on renewable fuel. Biomethane is more environmentally friendly and more stable in the long term than imported fuels. Its use not only helps to reduce pollutant emissions in the transport sector, but also improves Estonia’s energy security”, said the Deputy Mayor of Tartu. The ultimate goal of Tartu is to reduce the environmental impact of transport and the introduction of biomethane will allow to make a big leap in this direction. The biomethane is provided by the energy company Alexela.
Shell to expand its network of bio-LNG stations in Germany
Shell wants to have a network of 35 to 40 sites with liquefied natural gas (LNG). All the sites will use CO2-neutral bio-LNG. The concept covers the entire domestic heavy road transport value chain, including the procurement of biomethane from manure, agricultural or municipal waste, the construction of gas liquefaction capacity and the distribution of CO2-neutral LNG through Shell’s LNG filling stations. Shell is also working to convert its own fleet of tankers to LNG. The initiative complements Shell’s investment in other alternative fuels such as synthetic diesel from natural gas (GTL), compressed natural gas (CNG), diesel fuel with 33% renewable components (R33 Blue Diesel) as well as hydrogen and battery charging infrastructure in Germany.
Lidl, Iveco, LC3 and Edison introduce biomethane vehicles in Italy’s retailer fleet
Five new biomethane-fueled vehicles in the Lidl fleet were today unveiled, a result of the company’s collaboration with Iveco, LC3 Trasporti and Edison. The new Iveco Stralis NP 460 HP CNG will be powered by biomethane This is a first in the Italian retail and mass distribution sector, which again highlights the partners’ unwavering commitment. In Switzerland, Lidl’s fleet covers already more than 20 Volvo and Scania trucks on CBG/CNG and LBG/LNG and will be increased to 40 trucks by spring 2020.
Coca Cola Switzerland changes to biomethane driven cars
52 Skoda Octavia and VW Caddy are a first tranche of a total of 180 CNG vehicles that will be put into service by Coca-Cola HBC Switzerland. This makes the Swiss subsidiary of the US beverage manufacturer the largest CNG fleet operator in Switzerland. As a major player in the Swiss beverage market, Coca-Cola is thus setting an important example for sustainability. Every Coca-Cola vehicle even drives the first 1,000 kilometers climate-neutrally because it fills up with 100 percent biogas. In return, Coca-Cola purchases 6525 kilograms of biogas and saves 18,270 kilograms of CO2 compared to fossil natural gas. Later a mixture of natural gas with 20% biomethane will be used. The company has been making great efforts in the field of sustainability for years. For example, CO2 emissions have been reduced by eleven percent over the past five years despite a growing range of beverages. (in German only)