Audi to introduce Swiss e-diesel production facility to research synthetic fuels

Audi is stepping up its research into synthetic fuels as it plans for a new pilot a new facility for the production of e-diesel in Laufenburg, in Canton Aargau (Switzerland).

The car manufacturer has partnered up with Ineratec GmbH and Energiedienst Holding AG, as part of its plans.

For the first time, the energy needed will be supplied from the renewable source of hydropower. The planned facility will have a capacity of around 400,000 litres (87,987 gallons) per year.

Audi has been conducting research into climate-friendly, CO2-based fuels such as e-gas, e-gasoline (petrol) or synthetically manufactured e-diesel fuel.

The company is now taking the next step in e-diesel production.

Reiner Mangold, head of sustainable product development at Audi AG said: “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.

Audi e-diesel has the potential to make conventional combustion engines operate almost CO2-neutrally.

To produce it, the power-to-liquid plant converts surplus hydropower into synthetic fuel. A chemical principle is applied: The green power generated on site in the hydroelectric power station produces hydrogen and oxygen from water by means of electrolysis.

In the next step, the hydrogen reacts with CO2, using an innovative and very compact microprocess technology. The CO2 can be obtained from the atmosphere or from biogenous waste gases and, as with all Audi e-fuels, is the only source of carbon.

Long-chain hydrocarbon compounds are formed. In the final process step these are separated into the end products Audi e-diesel and also waxes, which are put to use in other areas of industry.

There are plans to produce the first quantities of e-diesel in Laufenburg as early as next year.

Audi and the project partner companies Ineratec and Energiedienst AG will submit the planning application for the facility in a few weeks’ time.

Construction work is to begin in early 2018.