France tests first flex-fuel cars in biofuel push
Brazil's flex-fuel fever needs no introduction. Its successful use of the cars that allow drivers to choose between different fuels has opened the eyes of many other countries. Amongst them, France. On Thursday it launched its first tests of so-called flex-fuel cars that can run on ethanol or conventional fuel in its latest push to promote wider use of renewable energy.
The Marne regional government in eastern France has a special permit to test the ethanol-based E85 fuel, and use it to run a fleet of seven Ford flex-fuel cars for a year.
E85 is currently not authorized in France, but government approval is expected by early next year and the fuel should be widely available by 2010.
"Our goal is simple: we want cars on the market by the end of the decade that can be driven equally on petrol or biofuels," Industry Minister Francois Loos said.
"Biofuels are one way of improving our energy independence, ensuring the protection of the environment and providing new markets for French agriculture," he said at the launch of the tests in Marne.
E85 is 85 percent ethanol, a biofuel derived from sugar beet or cereals. France's biofuel production is mainly biodiesel, largely made from rapeseed and then blended with conventional diesel. Some 75 percent of French cars run on diesel and this share is expected to grow in the coming years.
Brazil, the world's top sugar and ethanol producer, and Sweden have taken the lead in the flex-fuel car sector and only Ford and Saab offer such models for the French market.
But Loos said he hoped French car makers would offer similar models on the market. Renault has said it would make half of its cars flex-fuel models from mid-2009, the industry ministry noted in a press release.
NOT JUST IN BRAZIL
Loos has encouraged French oil companies to supply the low volatility petrol needed to incorporate pure ethanol directly into fuels before the end of 2006. However, the oil industry has been slow in producing such fuels.
"This experiment shows to those who still have doubts that it's possible to have cars running on ethanol, and not just in Brazil and Sweden," Loos said.
Instead of low volatility petrol, oil companies in France produce a type of ethanol-derived ether known as ETBE (ethyl tertiary butyl ether) which is then mixed with conventional fuel.
Siplec, a top French petrol distributor, has by-passed the oil majors by importing low volatility fuel from other European countries to become the first in the country to sell petrol mixed with a five percent pure ethanol content.
Siplec will supply the Marne authorities with the E85 fuel needed to run the flex-fuel cars.
"This experimental project...marks the beginning of a post-oil France and a France of tomorrow," Loos said.
Reuters.
Full article
The Marne regional government in eastern France has a special permit to test the ethanol-based E85 fuel, and use it to run a fleet of seven Ford flex-fuel cars for a year.
E85 is currently not authorized in France, but government approval is expected by early next year and the fuel should be widely available by 2010.
"Our goal is simple: we want cars on the market by the end of the decade that can be driven equally on petrol or biofuels," Industry Minister Francois Loos said.
"Biofuels are one way of improving our energy independence, ensuring the protection of the environment and providing new markets for French agriculture," he said at the launch of the tests in Marne.
E85 is 85 percent ethanol, a biofuel derived from sugar beet or cereals. France's biofuel production is mainly biodiesel, largely made from rapeseed and then blended with conventional diesel. Some 75 percent of French cars run on diesel and this share is expected to grow in the coming years.
Brazil, the world's top sugar and ethanol producer, and Sweden have taken the lead in the flex-fuel car sector and only Ford and Saab offer such models for the French market.
But Loos said he hoped French car makers would offer similar models on the market. Renault has said it would make half of its cars flex-fuel models from mid-2009, the industry ministry noted in a press release.
NOT JUST IN BRAZIL
Loos has encouraged French oil companies to supply the low volatility petrol needed to incorporate pure ethanol directly into fuels before the end of 2006. However, the oil industry has been slow in producing such fuels.
"This experiment shows to those who still have doubts that it's possible to have cars running on ethanol, and not just in Brazil and Sweden," Loos said.
Instead of low volatility petrol, oil companies in France produce a type of ethanol-derived ether known as ETBE (ethyl tertiary butyl ether) which is then mixed with conventional fuel.
Siplec, a top French petrol distributor, has by-passed the oil majors by importing low volatility fuel from other European countries to become the first in the country to sell petrol mixed with a five percent pure ethanol content.
Siplec will supply the Marne authorities with the E85 fuel needed to run the flex-fuel cars.
"This experimental project...marks the beginning of a post-oil France and a France of tomorrow," Loos said.
Reuters.
Full article
Friday, June 02, 2006
High Level Group proposes urgent actions to promote a competitive and sustainable European energy system
Composed of high level stakeholders, the HLG looks at ways to foster consistency between policy and legislative initiatives and to contribute to creating a more stable, predictable and competitive regulatory framework (see IP/06/244 and IP/06/226). The Commission considers that only a comprehensive approach to all parts of the energy chain and to the three objectives of security of energy supply, environment and competitiveness can lead to lasting success as put forward in its recent energy Green Paper. The recommendations of the HLG will help to achieve this goal.
The main conclusions of the first HLG report are:
1. Functioning of EU electricity and gas markets
The HLG calls for making full use of competition instrument to ensure a more competitive environment for electricity and gas supply. Member States are called upon to improve in a timely fashion the implementation of the current regulatory framework with a specific focus on unbundling provisions and the removal of regulated tariffs distorting competition. Member States should also enhance the role and independence of national regulatory authorities. Co-ordination among national transmission system operators (TSOs) should be improved, the interoperability of gas systems harmonised and the time needed to authorise investments be shortened.
2. Cost-effective and predictable prices for energy intensive industries
Public authorities should evaluate current initiatives relative to pooled generation, long term contracts and partnerships. The Commission should provide guidance on the compatibility of long term downstream supply contracts and competition law.
3. Energy efficiency and conservation
Since there still is a significant potential for improving energy efficiency, the HLG recommends that a list of priorities for energy efficiency measures be established. The High Level Group considers that a new sense of urgency is needed to fully tap the cost-effective energy efficiency potential. There is a need to have a better assessment of the payback time of investments. Take-up of Energy services should be promoted and energy using products should be subject to dynamically improving efficiency standards. The HLG recommends also making full use of the Eco-design Directive (e.g. minimum energy efficiency requirements for all energy using products, as well as further development of combined Heat and Power, and district heating.
4. EU emissions trading scheme (ETS)
The group confirmed its preference for a well-functioning ETS as a central instrument for reducing greenhouse gases. To ensure that the EU has a cost-effective instrument at its disposal for contributing to the fight against climate change, the HLG proposes to improve the current system by taking action in three stages. This instrument should, therefore, give efficient incentives for investment in low carbon technologies, have limited impact on the competitiveness of energy intensive industries competing on global markets and should be an attractive “docking station” for schemes in other big emitting countries after 2012.
To further improve the functioning of the ETS, the HLG recommends the full and urgent implementation of current EU legislation regarding the liberalisation of electricity and gas markets.
In the coming weeks the national allocation plans of Member States for the 2008-12 period should be assessed to make maximum use of the experience gained from the first trading period.
In the short term before the end of 2006 the EU ETS should give a stronger signal towards encouraging low carbon investment, and providing a level playing field. Ways to reduce the administrative burden for small installations to monitor and report emissions should be explored. Cost-effective solutions to providing information on actual emissions to ensure market transparency should be explored, as well.
The HLG recommends the general review of the ETS should take place in the broader context of international action against climate change. It calls to bring forward the international climate change policy framework post-2012, so as to ensure more long term certainty and transparency in future emission reduction efforts. The HLG recommends also intensifying discussions with big emitters and identifying how the EU ETS can be linked with compatible system emerging in other countries.
Outlook
At its today’s meeting the HLG has also set up two ad hoc groups to analyse barriers and drivers for investment in innovative energy technologies and long term energy future for the EU.
The future work of the High Level Group will focus on a more strategic reflection on future energy policies for Europe. The objective will be to draw up recommendations on how policy options can be developed to enable a sustainable, low carbon, and competitive energy system which also contributes to strengthening the competitiveness of the European economy and which promotes energy security of supply post-2010.
The full HLG report and more information can be found here.
Europa Rapid Press Release.
Full article
ethanol :: biodiesel :: biofuels :: bioenergy :: biomass :: renewables :: energy :: sustainability :: Africa ::
posted by Laurens Rademakers at 10:39 PM 0 comments