VW tests first biogas vehicle

THE first Volkswagen vehicles that will be powered by biogas have been presented to the all-gas project at the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) of El Torno Chiclana. The unveiling of the car coincided with a visit to the facilities from delegates of the World Water Congress (IWA LET), which was held last week in Jerez. The primary aim of the All-gas project is to obtain a clean fuel and other high value-added products from microalgae grown with treated wastewater. Chiclana City is a municipality in southwestern Spain, province of Cadiz. Chiclana City councilor responsible for the environment Joaquín Páez and the director of the delegation for Aqualia, Francisco Jimenez, welcomed delegates to the plant, and introduced them to the All-gas project. Joaquín Paez said he was “tremendously proud that Chiclana is now a world leader in the research and development of fuels derived from microalgae cultivation. In fact, because of this essential role, we have researchers from around the world visiting the project, such as those involved in the World Water Congress”. Paez added that “these types of fuels are emerging as one of the most viable alternatives to fossil fuels, and the All-gas project is well placed to prove that obtaining commercial scale clean and environmentally friendly fuels is possible.” Francisco Jimenez, said that “the All-gas project has progressed along the lines that the research team expected. So much so that expansion works are underway which will allow the project to move from an experimental phase to demonstrating commercial viability. This will give us a true measure of the possibilities of all-gas.” The all-gas team hosted researchers on a tour of the facility, explaining the different processes involved in the cultivation of the algae and obtaining the biogas to be tested in the new vehicle. The Volkswagen Up! vehicle which can run on compressed natural gas (CNG) as well as biogas was also tested by the All-gas team. Frank Rogalla, Director of Technology & Innovation, Aqualia, said “for the first time in the history of humanity a car will be fueled with a full batch of algae biogas. This is the culmination of five years of hard work and a very proud moment for Aqualia. The way this algae is cultivated is twice as productive per hectare as other biofuels. This means it is a fuel with a positive energy balance, and therefore significant commercial viability.” Biogas is a clean fuel produced at the Chiclana WWTP through microalgae cultivation. The process also helps to purify water at the plant as the microalgae feeds on organic wastewater sent to the facility for treatment. The vehicle’s engine generates zero emissions. It also includes an emergency fuel tank emergency to be used if a gas refueling station is not nearby. The International Water Congress, which was attended by the 50 researchers who visited the All-gas project attended, is known worldwide as “IWA LET (Leading Edge Conference)”. The event is recognised as one of the most prestigious in the water industry across the world. Almost 500 politicians from the five continents attended, previous editions of the event have been held in cities such as Abu Dhabi, Hong Kong and Bordeaux, among other major cities. To signal the closing of the 13th IWA LET Congress, a gala dinner was held. Awards handed out during the event included: “The Industrial Innovation Forum award” was presented to Cambi and Pyreg; the BiosolWare project, in which Aqualia participates with Helio Pur Technologies, Coldep and CENTA, also received an award. The Congress, which was held in Jerez, under the theme “Evaluating Impacts of Innovation” (Assessing the impacts of innovation), was considered a great success by organizers, attendees and the city of Jerez. Organized by the International Water Association (IWA), the Spanish Association of Water Supply and Sanitation (AEAS), the University of Santiago de Compostela (USC) and Aqualia, the Congress has had positive economic impact on Jerez, and has also helped further establish it as an international city.