Audi is systematically building on its e-fuels strategy. Together with its partners Ineratec and EnergieDienst Holding, the company plans to establish a pilot facility for the production of e-diesel in Laufenburg, in Canton Aargau in Switzerland.
For the first time, the energy needed will be supplied by hydropower. The planned facility will have a capacity of around 400,000 liters (87,987 gallons) per year.
For some years now, Audi has been conducting research into climate-friendly, CO2-based fuels such as e-gas, e-gasoline (petrol) and synthetically manufactured e-diesel fuel. The company is now taking the next step in e-diesel production.
“At the project in Laufenburg, thanks to a new technology we are able to handle the production of e-diesel efficiently in compact units, making it more economical. The pilot facility offers scope for sector coupling, in other words combining the energy sectors power, heat and mobility, and makes it possible to store renewable energy,” explained Reiner Mangold, head of sustainable product development at Audi.
Aims are to produce the first quantities of e-diesel in Laufenburg as early as next year. Audi, Ineratec and EnergieDienst will submit their planning application for the facility in a few weeks’ time. Construction work is scheduled to begin in early 2018.
November 15, 2017