Net Zero: The innovations that will get us there

There’s no single silver bullet that will deliver Net Zero worldwide. Instead, many different types of alternative fuels and renewable energy sources can be combined to allow businesses to reduce and eventually eliminate their reliance on fossil fuels.

Aggreko is investing in all the available alternatives to ensure our solutions are at the forefront of the drive towards sustainability. We are also investing in the development of future technology that will deliver even cleaner fuels. Let’s look at the innovations that will lead the way to Net Zero.

Biodiesel

Biodiesel combines methanol with diverse resources such as recycled cooking oil, soybean oil, and animal fats. It’s a drop-in biofuel, meaning that it is compatible with existing diesel engines, generators, and distribution infrastructure. In terms of emissions, biodiesel produces just 2661 grams of CO2 per gallon.

The greenest form of biodiesel is made from Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO). Instead of traditional diesel, you can reduce NOx emissions by 25% and particulate matter by 42%. Aggreko has used HVO to power huge events such as Glastonbury and NFL games.

While modifying existing petroleum diesel equipment isn’t essential, most will be unable to run on pure biodiesel and need to be blended with petrodiesel. We are still in a transitional phase, increasing biodiesel availability and usage. However, there is still a reliance on petrodiesel. With this in mind, Aggreko has designed a dual certified generator that can operate seamlessly on either traditional diesel or pure biodiesel without any modification. This new generator uses a variety of advanced exhaust treatment processes to deliver a 98% reduction in the volume of particulates and a 96% reduction in NOx gases expelled.

Natural Gas and Virtual Pipelines

In the U.S., there is a network of around 3 million miles of pipeline delivering natural gas throughout the country. Aggreko’s gas generators take advantage of this infrastructure to reduce emissions significantly.

However, not all areas of the U.S. are connected to the gas pipeline network. For example, remote locations such as mining operations require large amounts of power. As a result, they need alternatives to traditional fuels to improve their sustainability. Aggreko has developed a network of virtual pipelines whereby trucks transport natural gas to these hard-to-reach sites to solve this. By installing storage facilities to maintain a surplus and guarantee regular deliveries, these remote sites can be powered by natural gas as if they were connected to the pipeline network.

Biogas

Biogas is produced from raw materials such as agricultural waste, manure, municipal waste, plant material, sewage, green waste, and food waste. It consists primarily of methane and carbon dioxide and can be used as a fuel by combusting or oxidizing.

Aggreko’s gas generators can run on this renewable energy source, providing both emission reduction and cost savings. For example, we helped an energy company in Thailand save $1 million by converting their generated biogas into power and reducing their emissions by 120,000 tonnes per year.

Solar Power

The IEA estimates that by 2050 solar power will account for around 20% of the worldwide energy consumption and will be the world’s largest source of electricity. Given its zero-emission, low-cost advantages, it’s a critical area to invest in.

Aggreko’s solar power solution can be easily and swiftly installed and uses photovoltaic panels with a single-axis tracking system to maximize energy production. By tracking the sun as it moves across the sky, the amount of energy delivered is increased by up to 20%.

Batteries

Reliable and efficient batteries are crucial for renewable energy and the drive towards Net Zero. The intermittency of energy sources such as wind and solar has inhibited their adoption. However, with improved battery technology able to maintain a surplus of power, this no longer needs to be the case.

Having identified batteries as a critical element in improving sustainability, Aggreko has developed lithium-ion batteries that can be integrated with existing energy solutions. . As well as helping to reduce emissions, our batteries deliver lower costs and better-quality power and can be quickly deployed almost anywhere.

Hydrogen

Hydrogen fuel is a zero-carbon fuel but only when created in a zero-carbon way. Because pure hydrogen doesn’t occur naturally in large quantities, it requires another form of energy to produce it on an industrial scale. Currently, around 95% of hydrogen is produced using fossil fuels, so it is not entirely emission-free.

Aggreko has invested heavily in hydrogen technology  to push towards eliminating these emissions. We have developed a 50 kVA hydrogen combustion Genset demonstrator with CMB.TECH and a fuel cell demonstration unit with Nedstack. This solution is currently in testing and once released will provide zero-emission energy and help businesses across the globe bridge the gap to Net Zero.

The perfect partner for your energy transition

Aggreko is the global leader in renewable temporary power. By investing in all the different forms of sustainable energy, we can provide the cleanest and most cost-effective solution for any business. Other types of operations and environments require various forms of power generation. Our expert consultants will work with you to design the optimum solution to help you transition at your pace to cleaner energy while keeping your operations efficient and profitable.

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