Biodiesel for Heavy-duty Vehicles
To reduce the environmental footprint of airports, OLGA is pioneering the use of sustainable solutions. One notable initiative is the experimentation with OLEO100 biodiesel, a biofuel made entirely from rapeseed. This study aims to evaluate both the technical and operational feasibility of powering a fleet of heavy-duty vehicles at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport with OLEO100, and to assess the environmental benefits of this approach. This experimentation marks a significant step towards the ecological transition of airport operations, highlighting that innovation and sustainability can synergize for a cleaner, greener future.
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Objectives
This innovation aims to enhance environmental sustainability at airports.
The objectives of this innovation include:
Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Lowering the carbon footprint associated with airport operations.
Improving Air Quality: Decreasing pollutants to enhance the overall air quality in and around the airport.
Providing a Sustainable Alternative: Offering a viable and ecological substitute to traditional fossil fuels while maintaining equivalent vehicle performance.
Progress
Sweepers and degreasers, which are essential for cleaning and removing oil and grease stains from runways and taxiways, have been selected for the OLEO100 biodiesel test. These machines are among the most heavily used on the airside, requiring high levels of performance and reliability. Their intensive usage makes them ideal candidates for evaluating the feasibility and benefits of using OLEO100 biodiesel in airport operations.
The OLEO100 experimentation has shown very encouraging results. The vehicles powered by this biodiesel have operated satisfactorily without requiring major modifications to their engines. Users of the sweepers and degreasers converted to OLEO100 reported that the performance of these vehicles was similar to that of those running on traditional diesel, with no significant differences in terms of noise, odors, or vibrations. Analyses have shown that the overall environmental impact was reduced due to more complete and less polluting combustion.
The study concludes on the necessity to continue research to optimize the use of OLEO100, particularly regarding long-term storage and vehicle maintenance management.
Key figures
Duration of experimentation: 11 months, from September 2022 to July 2023.
Reduction in CO2 emissions: Using OLEO100 reduces CO2 emissions by 50%, thus contributing to the fight against climate change.
Fuel consumption: The fleet converted to OLEO100 observed an increase in fuel consumption of 8 to 12% due to the lower energy density of biodiesel compared to diesel.
Maintenance: Maintenance costs are comparable to those of diesel.
Safety: OLEO100 is not classified as an ICPE. OLEO100 is biodegradable, non-biotoxic and non-ATEX (Explosive Atmospheres).
