The first Volkswagen vehicle that will be powered by biogas has been presented to the All-gas project at the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) of El Torno Chiclana.

The presentation of a Volkswagen test vehicle for Aqualia’s All-gas biogas project was made in front of delegates from the World Water Congress (IWA LET) held in Jerez – the vehicle will be the first in history to be fuelled with a full batch of algae biogas.

 The project facilities at the sewage treatment plant of El Torno in Chiclana (Cádiz) are now advancing into live testing of biogas in vehicles.

The unveiling of the car coincided with a visit to the facilities from delegates of the World Water Congress (IWA LET), which was held 13-16th June in Jerez. The primary aim of the All-gas project is to obtain a clean fuel and other high value-added products from microalgae grown with treated wastewater.

Chiclana city councillor, responsible for the environment, Joaquín Páez, and the director of the delegation for Aqualia, Francisco Jimenez, welcomed delegates to the plant, and introduced them to the All-gas project.

Francisco Jimenez commented:

"The All-gas project has progressed along the lines that the research team expected. So much so that expansion works are underway which will allow the project to move from an experimental phase to demonstrating commercial viability. This will give us a true measure of the possibilities of All-gas ".

 The All-gas team hosted researchers on a tour of the facility, explaining the different processes involved in the cultivation of the algae and obtaining the biogas to be tested in the new vehicle. The Volkswagen Up! vehicle which can run on compressed natural gas (CNG) as well as biogas was also tested by the All-gas team.

Joaquín Paez said the All-gas project is well placed to prove that obtaining commercial scale clean and environmentally friendly fuels is possible.

Biogas is a clean fuel produced at the Chiclana WWTP through microalgae cultivation. The process also helps to purify water at the plant as the microalgae feeds on organic wastewater sent to the facility for treatment. The vehicle’s engine generates zero emissions. It also includes an emergency fuel tank to be used if a gas refuelling station is not nearby.

 Frank Rogalla, Director of Technology & Innovation, Aqualia, added:

 “For the first time in the history of humanity a car will be fuelled with a full batch of algae biogas. This is the culmination of five years of hard work and a very proud moment for Aqualia. The way this algae is cultivated is twice as productive per hectare as other biofuels. This means it is a fuel with a positive energy balance, and therefore significant commercial viability.”