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Biomethane is an option to reduce truck emissions in Brazil

Biomethane can be a great ally in the process of decarbonizing Brazil's energy matrix. In addition, it is one of the options to reduce pollutant emissions in the transport of cargo and passengers. The information is from the Brazilian Biogas Association (Abiogás). According to the entity, the country produces 130 million m³ of fossil natural gas, as well as 400 thousand m³ of biomethane per day. However, the potential for expanding the production of organic fuel is enormous.

According to Abiogás, the goal is to produce 2.3 million m³ of biogas daily until the end of 2025. And reach 32 million m³ in 2030. If the numbers are reached, it will be a great advance in the process of reducing emissions. After all, in the case of trucks, biogas is up to 36% less polluting. That's because the fuel is produced from waste from other products. According to the association, 50% comes from the sugar and alcohol sector and 30% from animal protein.

The other 20% comes from leftovers from soy, cassava and corn production. As well as waste generated after the treatment of sewage and landfills. In this sense, there are initiatives foreseen through the Sanitation Framework. Thus, state and municipal governments must guarantee investments for this purpose involving more than a thousand landfills.

Biomethane is 100% renewable...According to the CEO of Gás Verde and partner and executive director of Grupo Urca Energia, Marcel Jorand, biomethane and biogas are different products. He explains that biogas is composed of 50% methane and 50% CO2. However, after going through an industrial process in which CO2 is removed, biomethane appears. In other words, a renewable fuel of organic origin.

Currently, Gás Verde accounts for 50% of the national production of biomethane. According to Jorand, the investment in new production plants depends on the guarantee that there will be demand. “Right now, it is the industry that provides production,” he says. According to industry data, there are six large-scale biogas production plants in Brazil. However, that number is expected to double this year.

According to the executive, there are also several small biogas producers in the country. However, they are still not purifying the product. “The fact is that the industry has targets for reducing carbon emissions. So, they are buying large volumes. We are also going to advance in the supply of fuel for fleets of vehicles, due to the great consumption potential”, he says.

According to Abiogás, there are more than 40 construction projects for biomethane plants underway in Brazil. The expectation is that they will come into operation in the next five years. This should ensure that production targets are met. Also according to the association, the volume of inputs available in the country is sufficient to meet the increase in production.

Biomethane and transport...According to Scania's sustainability manager in Brazil, Paulo Genezini, the increase in fuel production is positive for the cargo transport sector. “There is a lot of potential for using biogas in long-distance transport. After all, logistics in Brazil is carried out largely through highways. Where there is no way to travel (long distances) with an electric truck, ”he says.

It is worth remembering that Scania has already sold more than 600 gas trucks in Brazil. Recently, Iveco entered the segment. And Volvo announced that it will test LNG (liquid) gas trucks in Latin America. shortly. According to the brand, this includes Brazil.

According to specialists, a truck that runs 14,500 km per month with biomethane, avoids the emission of 231 tons of CO2 per year in comparison with an equivalent diesel model. In other words, this corresponds to 133 trees planted. In addition, biofuel reduces emissions of so-called greenhouse gases by 95%.

Green corridors...According to Jorand, there are projects to create the so-called green corridors in the country. That is, sites with gas production and refueling infrastructure. According to the executive, this solution makes a lot of sense in the Midwest, for example. After all, the region concentrates a large part of the fleet of trucks that transport the country's agricultural production. Therefore, there is also a large concentration of residues that can be used in the production of biofuel.

For now, Rio de Janeiro, where Gás Verde is located, is the state with the largest fleet of gas-powered vehicles in the country. Currently, there are 12,000 supplies per day, most of which are cars. For the other regions, Gás Verde transports the biofuel in trucks.

Jomed has 20 gas vehicles in its fleet...Another challenge is to offer gas in liquid form. This is because, in cargo vehicles that run more than 200 km per day, LNG, or liquefied gas, is more advantageous. Thus, Jorand claims that the sale of biomethane to supply large fleets will be tailor-made. That is, according to the operating characteristics of each client. In addition, the project includes evaluating the type of cargo transported.

Jomed Transportes e Logística was the first company in Brazil to buy gas trucks from Scania, in 2019. Currently, the carrier has 20 gas vehicles in its fleet. According to the company, half of them run on biomethane. Adherence to biofuel is not greater only because of the lack of refueling infrastructure.

The biomethane trucks travel on the route between São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. After refueling in Barra do Piraí (RJ), the vehicles unload in the Rio de Janeiro capital. Afterwards, they go to Espírito Santo and return to São Paulo. However, it is necessary to use CNG, since there are no gas stations with biomethane on this route. Another part of the fleet makes the route between São Paulo and Curitiba, also using CNG.

Gas is cheaper than diesel...According to the owner of Jomed, Eduardo Garrido, the advantages of gas go beyond reducing pollutant emissions. "Gas, regardless of its origin, is 15% cheaper than diesel", he says. However, he claims that the deal is only advantageous for large shippers, who have targets for reducing carbon emissions.

After all, the gas truck is about 40% more expensive than the equivalent with a diesel engine. However, the freight charge is also higher. “We have to deliver results to customers. And they charge me monthly how much we stop reducing CO2. As we also use gas of fossil origin, the reduction reaches 30%." According to him, if the trucks were fueled only with biomethane, the reduction could exceed 90%."

Reporting: Andrea Ramos(Jornal Estadão)