Finnish research institute VTT, in collaboration with its partners, has unveiled a pioneering concept for producing electrofuel, marking a significant stride in the realm of sustainable fuel solutions.
The e-fuel project harnesses a combination of methods to create paraffinic e-fuel from green hydrogen and carbon dioxide, presenting a promising alternative for sectors that prove challenging for electrification.
The e-fuel project employs a fusion of high-temperature electrolysis, carbon capture, and Fischer-Tropsch hydrocarbon synthesis, offering a unique approach to electrofuel production at both commercial and industrial scales. Tested for the first time on a diesel-powered tractor at AGCO Power’s Linnavuori factory in Nokia, the paraffinic e-fuel demonstrates its viability for vehicles that are inherently difficult to electrify.
Professor Juha Lehtonen from VTT Research emphasizes the project’s success in producing e-diesel or electrofuel on a pre-commercial scale using Finnish technology. This electrofuel, derived from green hydrogen and carbon dioxide, holds the potential to replace fossil diesel in challenging sectors such as heavy road transport, shipping, and machinery. The focus now shifts to field tests to gather valuable insights into the fuel’s usability in practical scenarios.
Co-funded by Business Finland, VTT, and corporate partners, the E-fuel project boasts a valuation exceeding €6 million. The demonstration environment for Power-to-Liquid (PtL) electric fuels, initiated in May 2023, incorporates three integral components: a solid oxide electrolyser unit, a carbon dioxide recovery unit, and a Fischer-Tropsch fuel synthesis unit. The synthetic hydrocarbons produced are refined at Neste into a drop-in paraffinic diesel, undergoing rigorous testing on diesel engines.
Kari Aaltonen, Director of Engineering at AGCO Power, highlights the multifaceted approach to machinery solutions, catering to the diverse needs of farmers. From electric batteries to hydrogen, methane, and methanol, the project envisions a comprehensive strategy to address emissions and significantly reduce fossil fuel usage without solely relying on the direct electrification of transport.
As emerging methods of green hydrogen production become more efficient and affordable, the e-fuel project paves the way for the widespread development and scaling of sustainable e-fuels in the coming years.
