Cepsa and Renfe, in alliance with the Danish Maersk, have successfully completed the first test in Spain of renewable fuels in rail transport, on the Algeciras-Córdoba route, within the Algeciras-Madrid route, which is not fully electrified, reported the companies, which, in view of the success of the test, are analyzing the possibility of continuing to cover the route with renewable diesel and even expanding it to other non-electrified routes.
Specifically, for 15 weeks, Renfe locomotives have used more than 130 tons of HVO (renewable diesel) to complete 100 journeys between this section. This pilot has obtained very satisfactory results, demonstrating optimal performance of the engines.
This, added to the use of renewable energy in the rest of the itinerary, has made it possible to sustainably transport more than 4,700 containers (TEU) and avoid the emission of nearly 500 tons of CO2.
This second generation biofuel, which has replaced the conventional diesel used in Renfe locomotives, has been produced in Cepsa’s La Rábida Energy Park (Huelva) from used cooking oils.
This type of renewable fuel can be used in engines without the need to make modifications to them and, throughout its life cycle (from production to use), it manages to reduce CO2 emissions by up to 90%, compared to traditional fuels. In addition, second generation biofuels promote the circular economy.