Silvretta Montafon Vorarlberg Ski Area Tests Environmentally Friendly HVO Fuel
The Silvretta Montafon is the first ski area in Vorarlberg to use a new and environmentally friendly fuel to operate a snow groomer: In future, a PistenBully will be fueled with HVO in a test run and its suitability for use will be evaluated. The carbon footprint can be reduced by up to 90 percent with HVO fuel.
The Silvretta Montafon is taking various measures to gradually make the operation of its infrastructure more sustainable. From now on, this also includes the use of environmentally friendly fuels. As part of a pilot project and in cooperation with Leikermoser Energiehandel GmbH and Kässbohrer Geländefahrzeug AG, a PistenBully is being operated with environmentally friendly HVO fuel. In a test run, the Silvretta Montafon piste team checks the fuel for practicality, performance and consumption. “We want to take responsibility, rethink old structures and deal more intensively with the topic of sustainability. We are therefore particularly pleased that we can now also test an alternative drive option for the PistenBullys. We hope,
Up to 90 percent less CO2 emissions
HVO fuel is based on hydrogenated vegetable fat waste (hydrogenated vegetable oils), which are converted into hydrocarbons by means of a catalytic reaction with the addition of hydrogen. The result is a 100 percent fossil-free diesel product made exclusively from renewable raw materials. HVO works well in all modern diesel engines, eliminating the need for groomer upgrades or engine conversions. “With HVO, CO2 emissions can be reduced by 65 to 90 percent compared to conventional diesel. In addition, HVO fuels should have better combustion, filterability and excellent low-temperature properties, which is particularly advantageous for use in snow," says Kilian Zinnecker,
Test partnership for alternative drive technologies
The call for sustainable and affordable drive technologies is getting louder and louder in all sectors. The leaps in development in recent years have been correspondingly large. Since this winter, the Silvretta Montafon has therefore been running an official test partnership with Kässbohrer on the subject of snow groomers with alternative drive technologies. "Through this test partnership, we are able to try out the latest technologies with an experienced partner at our side and to find the best solution for us," concludes Mario Tschofen.
