Biofuels still the Brazilian preference

Twelve lectures included the 4th edition of the Symposium on Energy Efficiency, Emissions and Fuels, organized and promoted by AEA - Brazilian Association of Automotive Engineering, on June 14 at the Millennium Convention Center, in São Paulo (SP), under the macro theme "What is the future of the energy and mobility matrix in Brazil?"

Nearly three hundred participants were able to hear experts on electric vehicles, hybrids, combustion vehicles, ethanol, fossil fuels, biodiesel, fuel cell, HVO. A broad debate, but at the end of the event, the Brazilian preference in energy matrices falls on biofuels.

This is what the President of Anfavea - National Association of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers, Antonio Megale, and its technical director Henry Joseph Junior, proposed to the audience, as Brazil is rich in renewable fuels. "But, as an important research and development center, Brazil should not leave other technologies aside. Electric vehicles are already a reality in the world. We also have to master the knowledge of these technologies, "Megale said.

Shortly before the opening speech of Anfavea, the president of the EEA, Edson Orikassa, had already explained the entity's thinking, that is, Brazil is privileged in renewable fuels, with full knowledge of these technologies. "We went through Inovar-Auto and now on the eve of Route 2030 ... In both programs, the AEA played a leading role. We know the importance of new electric, hybrid, and fuel cell technologies. However, it is worth noting that Brazil has one of the life cycles, in the case of energy matrices, cleaner with renewable fuels, "he said.

Panel 1 "The Future of the Energy Matrix in Brazil" began with the presentation of Ricardo Gomide, general coordinator of Production Development and Renewable Fuel Market of the Ministry of Mines and Energy. With the theme "RenovaBio", a policy defined by law to induce energy and environmental efficiency in the Brazilian matrix of biofuels, Gomide said that the program has as its main instruments the mandatory targets of reducing CO2 emissions for the fuel market. "From the well to the wheel, biofuels are a ready and efficient solution in environmental, economic and social aspects," he said.

"Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) is produced from residues and fractions of residual fat from food, fish and slaughterhouse industries, as well as fractions of non-food vegetable oils," said Nilton Shiraiwa, manager of Product Development at Mercedes-Benz. Still, according to him, the automaker approved the use of HVO use in the latest generation engines (Euro VI) in 2016.

Among the advantages of HVO, it is worth mentioning the higher calorific value and number of cetane than Biodiesel, the use of the same raw materials as biodiesel (vegetable oil or animal fat), appearing on the world stage as an alternative to fossil diesel, reducing emissions total of CO2, besides the excellent oxidation stability, that is, does not cause the known problems of Biodiesel; does not require special care of handling and storage like Biodiesel.

In the "Single Ethanol" lecture, Ricardo Abreu, vice president of Motors Systems and Product Component Development at Mahle Metal Leve, presented a test performed on a 1.6-cylinder 4-cylinder engine that improved autonomy by 6.8% with ethanol (98.4%) compared to basic ethanol (93%). The panel was closed after discussion among the speakers given by Vicente Pimenta.

Petrobras' manager, Frederico Kremer, also attended the event of the AEA with the theme "Future strategy for the supply of fossil fuels". At the Kremer opportunity, he highlighted renewable hydrocarbons among alternative fuels. According to him, it brings compatibility with a fleet and current infrastructure, energy security, lower emission, and flexibility. "Petroleum derivatives still have an important role to play in the future, and we must consider the contribution of advanced biofuels obtained in coprocessing with petroleum derivatives," he said.

According to a study presented by the Energy Research Company (EPE) of the Ministry of Mines and Energy, in a lecture "The Current and Future Importance of Electric Energy in the Energy Matrix", by Amílcar Guerreiro, EPE's Director of Electric Energy Studies, until 2026, industries, transportation, and residences will account for 72.1% of the final energy consumption in the country, reflecting the reduction in the share of oil and oil products in the head office.

"The quest for energy efficiency is aimed at reducing operating costs as well as CO2, but to do this means taking a broader approach through engine, after treatment, transmission, electrification, connectivity, and alternative fuels," said George Glyniadakis of AVL , during the theme "From Diesel Engine to Powertrain: Roadmap for Energy Efficiency".

The Predictive Diagnosis improves customer satisfaction and brand loyalty, as well as proactively generate customer contacts and optimize the maintenance process. Robert Bosch's Product Development Engineer, Karine Bauer, in a presentation "Predictive Diagnostics Beyond Big Data", also reported that the program minimizes costs in the case of service, benefits for fleet operators and offers the greater availability of vehicles with the best use of a fleet.

"Pollution caused 9 million premature deaths in 2015, accounting for 16% of all deaths in the world. And it is crucial to understand the physical and chemical mechanism of generating atmospheric pollutants, emissions. In urban centers, vehicles are the most important source of air pollution, "said Sergio Ibarra of USP during a lecture" The VEIN program: mapping of vehicular emissions in conditions of real urban traffic ".

The lecture, "Vehicle Power Management," led by André de Oliveira, manager of Service Engineering at Siemens, strengthened the need for the introduction of new transmission technologies as an important ally in the fuel economy race.

In Panel 2, "The Future of Mobility in Brazil," the theme "Hybrid Vehicles" was introduced by Anderson Suzuki, Communications Manager at Toyota. "We believe that the engines will vary according to the size of the vehicle, distance traveled and type of fuel, ie we believe that new categories of mobility will arise since the combustion engines in passenger vehicles will be gradually replaced by hybrids and hybrids plug-in ".

Still according to Suzuki, "the adoption of 100% electric cars is limited by the autonomy and time of battery charging. Thus, VEs are more appropriate for short distances. Fuel-cell cars have greater autonomy and quick fueling, which makes them suitable for many applications. However, they require the establishment of new infrastructure before its popularization. Our goal is to contribute to the development of a sustainable mobility society with comfort, safety and in an environmentally friendly way ".

Currently, there are 3 million the number of electric vehicles that circulate in the world. According to Luiz Fernando Oliveira, engineer and coordinator of Renault's VE Project, to limit the Earth's temperature increase below 2 degrees by the end of the century, the number of electric vehicles needs to reach 220 million by 2030, "Oliveira concluded.

Panel 2 was closed after the debate with the participation of the public present and mediated by Fernando Calmon, engineer and specialized journalist. The event was closed by Renato Linke, one of the coordinators of the organized commission, alongside Alfredo Castelli, Sergio Viscardi and Vicente Pimenta.