How heavy transport overcomes fossil fuels
On August 31, decision-makers and experts from business, politics, administration and research and development met in Solothurn for the 8th Bioenergy Forum. The conference addressed the central questions surrounding Switzerland's energy future and discussed the potential of biogenic fuels.
Under the title "Mobile with bioenergy - net zero by 2050", over 180 participants discussed mobility free of fossil fuels. The relevance of the issue for politics was demonstrated by the presence of no less than four National Councillors (Barbara Schaffner, Jean-Pierre Grin, Matthias Jauslin and Pierre-André Page).
Lino Guzzella called for a phase-out of fossil fuels and a pricing of CO2 emissions. The ETH professor believes that biomass will make an important contribution to this. Refined into biodiesel, for example, it already saves around 600,000 tons of CO2 in Switzerland. For him, it is clear that only economically sensible solutions can be effective.
That's the big challenge facing Varo Energy, operator of the only oil refinery in Switzerland. Today, it blends seven percent biodiesel into its diesel. With its planned new plant, it could add 15 percent. But it needs planning certainty for the major investment, and that is on the line with the impending expiration of the exemption of biogenic fuels from the mineral oil tax. Matthias Jauslin, a member of the National Council, is convinced: "Without this instrument, we would not be where we are today.
By 2023 at the latest, transporter Daniel Schöni wants to operate his truck fleet in a CO2-neutral manner. The first 50 of his 250 trucks already run on almost 80 percent biodiesel. The raw materials for this come almost 100 percent from waste from the catering industry. "The classic combustion engine has a future, but the fuels it runs on will be fossil-free."
Experts also see great potential for hydrogen as the fuel of the future. Philipp Dietrich, CTO of hydrogen producer and promoter H2 Energy, sees Switzerland on the cusp of a massive shift towards hydrogen-based mobility especially in long-distance transport. With the world's first fleet of trucks and the world's first economically operated refueling station network, Switzerland is a leader in hydrogen.
Truck manufacturers Iveco, MAN, Renault, Scania and Volvo presented their latest vehicles on site. With a drive mix of synthetic and biogenic fuels, they have long heralded the future of heavy-duty transport.
Press release Biomasse Suisse / Biofuels
