Cepsa, Maersk and Renfe have successfully completed the first test in Spain of renewable fuels in rail transport, Cepsa announced Nov. 27.

For 15 weeks, Renfe’s locomotives used more than 130 tons of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), also known as renewable diesel, to complete 100 journeys between Algeciras and Cordoba, a section of the corridor linking Algeciras and Madrid that is not electrified.

This, together with the use of renewable energy along the rest of the route, made it possible to sustainably transport more than 4,700 containers (TEU) and avoid the emission of nearly 500 tons of CO2. According to Cepsa, this pilot has obtained “very satisfactory results,” demonstrating optimum engine performance.

As a result, Cepsa, Maersk and Renfe are analyzing the possibility of continuing to cover this route with renewable diesel and even extending it to other nonelectrified routes. This second-generation biofuel, which replaced the conventional diesel used in Renfe’s locomotives, was produced at Cepsa’s La Rábida Energy Park (Huelva) from used cooking oils.

This type of renewable fuel can be used in engines without the need for engine modifications, and during its entire lifecycle (from production to use) it reduces CO2 emissions by up to 90 percent compared to traditional fuels.

In addition, second-generation biofuels promote the circular economy by using waste for their production that would otherwise be discarded or end up in landfills. After successfully running various tests in air and maritime transport and starting to sell renewable diesel at its service stations and customer facilities, Cepsa said this pilot initiative represents another step forward for the company, which is working to decarbonize heavy transport through the production of green molecules.

As established in its Positive Motion strategy, the company aims to become a benchmark in the energy transition and to lead renewable fuel production in Spain and Portugal by 2030 with an annual production capacity of 2.5 million tons. Maersk has announced that it will achieve net-zero emissions by 2040 in all business areas, such as shipping, inland and air transport, as well as inland activities such as warehousing, terminals and other land-based services.

To achieve this, Maersk has already defined ambitious short-term targets for 2030.

These include a 20 percent reduction in greenhouse-gas emissions (compared to the 2020 baseline) from its overland-logistics activities such as rail and truck transport.

Renfe Mercancías, a leading operator in sustainable mobility, continues to reinforce its corporate strategy in a clear commitment to lead the decarbonization of transport.

During the past year, almost 80 percent of the company’s total traffic was carried by “CeroCO2” electric locomotives powered by renewable energy, a proportion that is being increased thanks to the acquisition of new, more modern, safer and more efficient electric-traction equipment.

Renfe Mercancías has put into service this year 12 new high-power electric locomotives to operate on Iberian gauge and awarded last March the contract for the supply of another 12 international gauge electric locomotives for 136.7 million euros (USD$150.1 million) with an option to supply an additional six locomotives for freight traffic on the Mediterranean Corridor and to operate in France.

The implementation of this biofuel trial will make it possible to explore sustainable alternatives for rail transport on nonelectrified lines.