Carbon-Neutral Diesel Fuel invented in Germany, manufactured by Audi

[Candescence]

We don't exactly have a dedicated climate change/renewable energy topic, and this is a pretty big deal, so I might as well just start a topic.

 

But, yeah, exactly what it says on the tin. What we're seeing right now is extremely promising, potentially groundbreaking in terms of vehicle fuel, and Audi could potentially make a mint off this stuff.

 

Audi has successfully made diesel fuel from carbon dioxide and water

Carbon-neutral diesel is now a reality.

 

FIONA MACDONALD

27 APR 2015

 

German car manufacturer Audi has reportedly invented a carbon-neutral diesel fuel, made solely from water, carbon dioxide and renewable energy sources. And the crystal clear 'e-diesel' is already being used to power the Audi A8 owned by the country’s Federal Minister of Education and Research, Johanna Wanka.

 

The creation of the fuel is a huge step forward for sustainable transport, but the fact that it’s being backed by an automotive giant is even more exciting. Audi has now set up a pilot plant in Dresden, Germany, operated by clean tech company Sunfire, which will pump out 160 litres of the synthetic diesel every day in the coming months.

 

Their base product, which they’re calling 'blue crude' is created using a three-step process. The first step involves harvesting renewable energy from sources such as wind, solar and hydropower. They then use this energy to split water into oxygen and pure hydrogen, using a process known as reversible electrolysis.

 

This hydrogen is then mixed with carbon monoxide (CO), which is created from carbon dioxide (CO2) that’s been harvested from the atmosphere. The two react at high temperatures and under pressure, resulting in the production of the long-chain hydrocarbon compounds that make up the blue crude.

 

Once it's been refined, the resulting e-diesel can be mixed in with our current diesel fuel, or used on its own to power cars in a more sustainable way.

 

 

Sunfire analyses have shown that the synthetic fuel is not only more environmentally friendly, but also has superior combustion when compared to fossil fuels. The overall energy efficiency of the e-diesel is 70 percent, they report.

"The engine runs quieter and fewer pollutants are being created," said Sunfire Chief Technology Officer Christian von Olshausen in a press release.

 

Of course, with the initial factory only pumping out around 160 litres each day, the fuel isn’t going to have a huge impact on the market just yet. But Audi and Sunfire now want to build a bigger factory, and anticipate that once production is scaled up, the e-diesel will sell to the public for between 1 and 1.50 Euros per litre, dependent on the cost of renewable electricity.

With traditional diesel currently on the market for upwards of 1.50 Euros per litre in Germany, this would make the fuel extremely competitive, and perfectly positioned to made sustainable travel accessible to everyone. "If we get the first sales order, we will be ready to commercialise our technology", said von Olshausen.

 

Just imagine being able to tear around the countryside in an Audi sportscar, and not having to feel guilty for all the CO2 emissions you're producing. We can't wait.

Find out more about how the fuel is made in the Sunfire video below:

[Toilynn Trubeau]

Awh man, that's good stuff! I'm interested in the water-cost of producing this Blue Crude, though, considering we're already starting to worry about future water supply and demand. But if this takes off, I'm totally in for buying a compatible Audi, haha. And, certainly, the price would drop if it scales up, which is awesome, considering it's already competitive at its current price.

 

I just worry about the natural oil mongers shooting this down before it even gets off the ground. Because screw the planet; we need money.

[CrownSlayers Shadow]

Bring that shit here to the Americas NAO!

 

No really, this is quite a breakthrough. We might have to change our fuel infrastructure (<- am I even using those words correctly?), but this is definitely something worthwhile.

 

Seems renewable in itself. We have plenty of Carbon Dioxide to go around in this world, so with the other elements, we could definitely be weaned off of fossil fuels. Although the Middle East and Russia might end up in an economic crisis since we won't need their oil...right?