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Porsche's Bold Move: Racing with Near Carbon-Neutral Fuel – How They Did It

Porsche's Bold Move: Racing with Near Carbon-Neutral Fuel – How They Did It
Porsche's Bold Move: Racing with Near Carbon-Neutral Fuel

In a world increasingly focused on sustainability, Porsche is taking a significant step forward in eco-friendly racing. This year’s Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup series will feature cars running on a revolutionary fuel described by Porsche as “near carbon-neutral.” Produced at the Haru Oni plant in Chile, this e-fuels-future-driving">e-fuel synthesizes renewable hydrogen from electrolysis powered by wind-generated electricity. Additionally, the CO2 used in the fuel production comes from bio sources and, in the future, will be sourced from direct air capture (DAC).

The Innovation Behind Porsche’s E-Fuel

Previously, the series ran on a second-generation bio-based, partially synthetic fuel. However, this year marks the first trial of fully synthetic renewable fuel in its purest form. Unlike production Porsches with stock engine maps, the race cars’ ECUs are tuned manually to adapt to the new fuel. Interestingly, these cars required no other mechanical modifications, underscoring the fuel’s compatibility and potential for broader application.

Porsche emphasizes that while the fuel is described as “near” carbon-neutral, it is currently as carbon-neutral as possible, considering secondary CO2 generation from transport and other factors. So, how exactly is this cutting-edge fuel created?

The Haru Oni Plant: A Beacon of Renewable Energy

The Haru Oni site was meticulously chosen for its consistent wind conditions year-round. A turbine at the plant can generate electricity far more efficiently than those in European locations. On average, the turbine operates at full load for 270 days per year, compared to just 66 days for a similar turbine in Germany. The electricity generated is used to electrolyze water, producing renewable hydrogen, a cornerstone of the e-fuel.

From Hydrogen to High-Octane Fuel

The next step involves heating hydrogen and CO2 at high pressure over a catalyst to produce methanol. This raw methanol undergoes a distillation process to reduce its water content and then enters a reactor. Here, carbon atoms in the methanol bond together to form long hydrocarbon chains, the raw material for synthetic petrol. After further processing, the final product is 93 octane petrol, later enhanced with additives to reach a minimum of 98 octane.

The Future: Direct Air Capture (DAC)

Currently, Porsche and its partners, including Volkswagen, are working on a DAC project to make the fuel even more sustainable. This collaboration aims to capture CO2 directly from the air, a concept established as commercially viable five years ago. With partners like HIF Global and MAN Energy Solutions, Porsche aims to prove that a DAC plant can be set up wherever there is a renewable electricity source.

Racing Towards a Sustainable Future

The Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup series serves as a testing ground for this innovative fuel. Running as part of the support program at eight Formula 1 races, it's estimated that the 32 Cup cars will consume 50,000 liters of renewable fuel this season. In comparison, the Haru Oni plant's planned maximum annual output, which began scaling up in 2022, is 130,000 liters.

Porsche views e-fuels as complementary to its ambitious target of achieving a global production mix of 80% pure-electric cars by 2030. By balancing the ramp-up of electric vehicles with groundbreaking fuel alternatives, Porsche is not just keeping pace with the future of mobility but leading it.

As the motorsport season progresses, the eyes of the automotive world will be on Porsche. Whether you’re an automotive aficionado or a sustainable energy advocate, Porsche’s bold move is a story worth following.

Frequently Asked Questions

The cars in this year's Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup series will be running on a revolutionary fuel described by Porsche as 'near carbon-neutral.'

The e-fuel used in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup series is produced at the Haru Oni plant in Chile.

The e-fuel is synthesized by generating renewable hydrogen from electrolysis powered by wind-generated electricity and using CO2 from bio sources, with future plans to source it from direct air capture (DAC).

The race cars' ECUs are manually tuned to adapt to the new e-fuel because it is the first trial of fully synthetic renewable fuel in its purest form, requiring adjustments for optimal performance.

Porsche is working on a DAC project with partners to capture CO2 directly from the air, aiming to enhance the sustainability of the e-fuel production process.
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