In Brazil, the University of Sao Paulo (USP) is conducting tests at the world's first experimental station dedicated to the production of renewable hydrogen from ethanol, according to the academic institution. The project, led by the Research and Innovation Center for Greenhouse Gases (RCGI), represents a milestone in the transition toward a low-carbon economy and the search for sustainable energy solutions.
In this testing phase, the efficiency of converting ethanol to hydrogen and the fuel performance in vehicles will be assessed. This opens up new opportunities for the decarbonization of high-emission industries such as steelmaking, cement production, the chemical and petrochemical sectors, as well as large-scale freight and passenger transport.
The experimental station has the collaboration of major companies such as Shell Brazil, Raízen, and Toyota, which promotes sustainable mobility in Brazil and opens up prospects for decarbonizing high-emission industrial sectors. According to experts, the plant will also facilitate the development of propulsion systems based on fuel cells for airplanes, trucks, and buses.
The scientific director of RCGI, Julio Meneghini, mentioned that through the data obtained in this project, they will be able to assess the viability of a larger-scale application, consolidating Brazil as a leader in the production of renewable hydrogen and sustainably reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
The governor of the state of Sao Paulo, Tarcísio de Freitas, praised the initiative's relevance to the state economy and its potential for expansion, highlighting the strength of the Research and Innovation Center for Greenhouse Gases at USP to lead the energy transition in Brazil.
The pilot plant is located in the University City of Sao Paulo, with an investment of 50 million reais (9.5 million dollars) and has the capacity to produce 100 kilograms of hydrogen per day, an amount intended to supply three buses and two light vehicles. The rector of USP, Carlos Gilberto Carlotti Junior, emphasized the project's importance for the country's energy future, indicating that Brazil could assume global leadership in the sector by offering cheaper energy with a lower carbon footprint.
