Cepsa, Maersk, and Renfe successfully test HVO in Spanish trains

In Spain, Cepsa, Maersk, and Renfe have successfully completed the first test in Spain of renewable fuels in rail transport. For 15 weeks, Renfe’s locomotives used more than 130 tons of HVO (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.
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 non-electrified 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.