Biocombustível: chave para descarbonização. Mineração, entre outros setores, reduzem pé de carbono através de revolução energética, biocombustível de vegetais, GEE emissões, parcerias, desenvolvimento, testes de veículos, baterias, portfólio de investimentos.
Em Betim, Minas Gerais, no dia 5 de julho de 1979, a montadora italiana Fiat introduz o primeiro carro movido a etanol produzido em série no mundo. Conhecido como Cachacinha, devido ao aroma dos gases de escape lembrar a bebida, o modelo 147 surge como a solução brasileira para a crise do petróleo de 1973. Esse marco histórico marca o início de uma transformação na indústria automotiva, impulsionada pelo etanol.
Ao adotar o etanol como principal fonte de energia, o Brasil se tornou referência global no desenvolvimento de biocombustíveis. A introdução do modelo 147 pela Fiat não apenas proporcionou uma alternativa viável à gasolina, mas também abriu caminho para a expansão dos biocombustíveis e a busca por fontes de energia mais sustentáveis. A história desse veículo icônico representa não apenas uma solução para crises passadas, mas também um passo significativo em direção a um futuro mais verde e renovável.
Revolutionizing the Energy Transition with Ethanol
Passing 45 years, 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, beet, 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.
Partnerships Driving Ethanol Innovation
Mining company Vale has just announced a partnership with Japanese automaker Komatsu and American engine manufacturer Cummins to develop and test off-road trucks powered by biofuels – a blend 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’s equivalent to 34,000 passenger vehicles,’ says Ludmila Nascimento, director of energy and decarbonization at Vale, in an interview with NeoFeed. Exclusively fueled by diesel, the fleet accounts for up to 15% of the greenhouse gas emissions (GEE) of the mining company.
The company is also studying the feasibility of blending ethanol and diesel in a collaboration agreement with American automaker Caterpillar. The expectation is that, with biofuel, the reduction in direct CO2 emissions could be up to 70%.
Transitioning to Ethanol-Powered Vehicles
If all goes as planned, Vale’s off-road trucks will be the first of their size in the world to run on ethanol in the tank, according to the company. In addition to research on biofuels, 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
Given the potential of ethanol, it is natural that the demand for the product will increase. 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
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