For the first time, electricity production using a biofuel will be tested in Antarctica. For 12 months, the project will use a motor-generator developed using Vale Soluções em Energia (VSE)’s technology.
The initiative is being conducted in partnership with Brazilian oil company Petrobras and Brazil’s navy. The purpose is to test the performance of ethanol and the equipment in harsh weather conditions. The power generated will light the Commander Ferraz Station, Brazil’s base for scientific research in Antarctica.
Ethanol
Made from plants such as sugarcane, ethanol is already widely used to power vehicles in Brazil, either pure or mixed with gasoline. The fuel has a series of advantages over diesel in terms of atmospheric emissions:
- 68% lower fossil fuel CO2 emissions;
- Does not emit sulfur compounds;
- Does not emit particulate matter;
- 50% less noise when compared with diesel motors of similar power.
VSE is a company established by Vale in partnership with Brazil’s national development bank, BNDES.